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Has someone ever given you a gift that was simply too generous to accept? What was your reaction? Did you wonder about the person’s motive for giving you so much more than expected?

In our walk with God, we often miss out on God’s great gifts because we struggle to accept them. In this devotional we will examine some of the reasons why God daily lavishes us with such generosity, and maybe we will then find it easier to fully enjoy them.

DAY 1: UNWORTHY RECEIVERS

One reason why we often find it difficult to accept generous gifts, is because we feel that we are not worthy of them. We immediately wonder why someone would give us something so spectacular if we clearly do not deserve it and are unable to do the same in return. In Psalms 8, David experienced this feeling on a clear evening when God’s creation was on full display.

David looked at the skies and could not comprehend why the almighty, perfectly righteous God would bother to care for unworthy mortals like himself. So he asked God, “When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place – what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?” (Psalms 8:3-4, NLT). He found himself overwhelmed by God’s generous provision for human beings without them even asking for it.

While it is one thing to accept a generous gift that you did not ask for, it is another altogether to ask for one! In Luke 7, we read of an officer who had the courage to ask Jesus for an extravagant gift. “So Jesus went with them. But just before they arrived at the house, the officer sent some friends to say, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honor. I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed” (Luke 7:6-7, NLT). Perhaps he understood something about God that went beyond his own worthiness, and was able to receive something truly extraordinary.

Instead on focusing on whether we are worthy of God’s generous gifts in our lives, let us change our focus to Him. Over the next few days, we will examine some of the reasons why God daily gives us so much more than we could ever deserve or repay.

Scripture readings:

Psalms 8:3-4

Luke 7:1-10