Luke 15:29

New International Version (NIV)

 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.

For Meditation

The young man hangs around the young lady he loves so much. It is beautiful to behold their relationship—how they walk together holding hands, go out to eat, call each other, and talk for hours. The young man does everything to please that young lady, and she warmly responds.

Imagine the heartache of this young man, whose every action was driven by his love for the young lady, to see her marry another man. His desire to marry her was palpable. Yet another man led her to the altar. Can you fathom his disappointment?

Why, Dinah? After what we’ve shared and been through, is this how you reward me? I gave up everything for you, hoping to be with you.

Consider the young lady’s response: Steve, I don’t remember you asking me to marry you. For all those years, I have waited for your proposal. I dreamed about that moment, visualized it, and felt my joy. I was there, ready for your question, but it never came. So when Charlie came along and asked me to marry him, I did. I thought maybe you wanted my friendship, but not marriage. I am sorry.

It’s shocking to hear, but the moral of this story is the same as that of the older brother in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-31). Yes, he had been an obedient child and worked hard for the father (29), but why didn’t he ask him for the young goat he needed to celebrate with his friends (29b)? His negligence sucked all the joy from his service and turned it into a struggle (29a). His father said, My son…you are always with me, and everything I have is yours (Lk. 15:31). All he had to do was ask, but he did not.

Reflect on our relationship with our Father in heaven. He encourages us to ask for our needs. He will give to us (Matthew 7:7). God calls us to approach His throne of grace with confidence, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Heb. 4:16). So why do we hesitate? Why don’t we boldly approach His throne in prayer?

The riches of heaven are open to you for the asking because you are a child of God, heir and co-heir with Christ (Rm. 8:17). That’s enormous and makes you very rich.

So, do not hold back in your prayers or hesitate to ask the Lord for anything you need and to share with others for His glory. May you be confident in your prayers, knowing that your Father in heaven knows what you need before you ask (Matthew 6:8), and that He delights in giving wonderful gifts to those who ask Him (Matt. 7:11).