Before You Ask

This morning, I read in Matthew 6:8 where Jesus insists that "your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." A chapter later, Jesus talks about the things we worry over, and he claims, "your heavenly Father knows that you need them."

He already knows. He knows before we know.

I consider the simple truth that God already knows what I need before I ask. It occurs to me that--instead of spouting off my list of what I think I need today--I might instead seek God's foreknowledge. I might ask the Holy Spirit to fill that list. I might ask what God thinks I need first.

I realize that I actually don't often know what I need. I think I do, but I don't.

Like the child screaming in the high chair who tosses her head about and bangs her fists in frustration, I don't know what I need. I can't even articulate it if I did know. The loving parent swoops in, discerns the real need, and responds.

What do I need? I ask before I cry out.

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Isn't it such a comfort to know that God already knows?