Wednesday Wisdom: He Knows What We Need

Matthew, chapter six, begins with a call to humility in regard to giving to the needy—not to do it for show but to actually give “in secret,” seeking no accolades. Matthew goes on to warn us against behaving like the hypocrites when we pray, who do so to be seen by others. Verse six is the one that really caught my heart today: “Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”

What struck me is this: we don’t have to make a big production out of our need or use flowery language to get God’s attention. We already have it. And He honors and blesses a contrite heart, one that truly recognizes its need of Him. Psalm 51:17b says, “…a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” When we are the most broken is when we create the greatest opportunity for God to pick up the pieces.

I had an issue this morning that was related, in part, to a myriad of other issues and seemed to be causing additional ones by the moment. The first thing I did was to pray—and that I did because I knew I had no other hope but to put my trust in God. But what I realized later is that while I had asked God for various things—protection, wisdom, His love—I had never actually asked Him for peace. It was then that I realized that in my time of need, He knew what I needed before I asked him. He had given me His peace, out of His fullness of knowledge, His great compassion, and His steadfast love for me.

Sometimes things don’t go according to our plans, and resolutions to problems can be fleeting and/or complex—this is why we need Him. Especially when we are broken. The psalmist declares in chapter 34, verse 18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted  and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” When we are hurting, we’ve only to reach out to Him—He is near to us.

The mercies of the Lord are new every morning, and GREAT is His faithfulness! (Lamentations 3)  Today, His mercy unto me was peace, because He was close, feeling my hurt and wanting to bring comfort—not because I asked for it but because He knew I needed it. His peace brings rest to our souls: “"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened [“heavy laden” in the King James], and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)  Go to Him. I guarantee, He knows what you need.