Our Father – Matthew 7:11

¹¹"If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" – Matthew 7:11 ESV

There’s a story of a boy and his father who go on a hike together. Along the way, they come across a large fallen branch blocking the path. Seeing an opportunity to teach his son a lesson, the father tells the boy to move the branch, encouraging him to use all of his strength. The boy tries—again and again—but despite his effort, he can’t lift it. Frustrated and disappointed, he turns to his dad and says, “I used all of my strength like you said, but the branch still won’t move!” The father gently responds, “Son, you haven’t truly used all of your strength—because you haven’t asked me for help.”

When you hear the word Father, what’s the first word that comes to mind? Is it caring, protective, loving, or dependable? And even further—who comes to mind when you hear that word? The truth is, there are countless words we could use to describe fathers, along with the people in our lives who’ve stepped in as father figures.

And with Father’s Day just yesterday, it’s the perfect time to reflect on both the earthly and heavenly examples of fatherhood we’ve been given—reminders that even in our human imperfection, we have a perfect Father who never fails to provide, protect, and pour out love without limit.

Looking back on those words you first thought of to describe a father, it’s easy to apply them to God and say He is all those things—and more. But when life gets overwhelming and it feels like everything is falling apart, how easy is it to actually remember His sovereignty, His care, and His power in that moment? Often, it’s not. That’s where the truth of this verse brings comfort.

In Matthew 7:11, Jesus is teaching the crowd about the goodness of God by comparing Him to earthly fathers. He says, “If you”—flawed and broken people—“know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?” In other words, if imperfect human fathers can express love and generosity, how much more can we trust in the love and generosity of our perfect Heavenly Father?

Still, we can’t ignore that for many, the word father doesn’t bring up warm feelings. Some have experienced deep pain, absence, or disappointment from their earthly fathers—or may never have had one at all. That kind of hurt can easily distort our view of who God is and how He interacts with us.

Yet the beauty of this verse is that it points us to a Father who is unlike anyone we’ve ever known. A Father who doesn’t walk away when things get hard. One who doesn’t love conditionally or keep a record of our mistakes. He listens without fail, gives without hesitation, and loves without limits. Whether we’re celebrating a win or recovering from a loss, God’s presence remains steady, and His love remains unchanged.

And when we begin to truly grasp and accept who God is—not just intellectually, but through experience—it changes everything. It redefines how we trust Him, how we follow Him, and how we live surrendered in faith.

So let this be your reminder today: no matter what your earthly experience with fatherhood has been—whether marked by presence or absence, healing or hurt—you are not without a Father. In God, you have one who sees you fully, hears you deeply, knows you intimately, and promises to give good things to those who simply ask and believe. Practice using all of your strength this week by calling on the name of our Father in heaven.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for being the perfect example of love, provision, and faithfulness. In the moments when we feel weak, remind us that our strength is found in You. Heal the places in our hearts shaped by broken fatherhood, and help us to trust You more deeply. Thank You for always being near, always listening, and always giving good things to those who seek You. We rest in Your presence today—our true and everlasting Father.
Amen.