A month ago, I told you about an experience I had fixing my old farm truck, which involved
finding just the right tool for a challenging repair. Some of you have told me you enjoyed that
humorous look at an important subject, namely the fact that Jesus Christ holds the answers to all
of our needs in life. He has just the right solution for all of our needs.
Today is Friends Day 2024, and our theme is, “Just What I Need!” That is the title of this
morning’s sermon, in which we will be looking at some basic needs all of us have, and the fact
that Jesus is fully sufficient in supplying them. But have you considered the fact that not only is
Jesus fully capable of meeting our needs, He knows in advance exactly what those needs are! In
exposing the hypocrisy of the religious leaders of his day, Jesus reminded his hearers: “Be not
therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him,”
(Mt. 6:8).
Since God already knows what we need, some may be wondering why we are taught to
articulate our requests in prayer. “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and
supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God,” (Phil. 4:6). Why tell
God what he already knows? Well, the reason we are to express our petitions and prayer requests
is not for God’s benefit, or to inform God of something He doesn’t know. It is for our good that
such prayers are to be offered. By formulating and faithfully expressing our requests, we focus
upon necessities, we develop our faith, and we learn to appreciate how God lovingly addresses our
needs.
Think about how this works in practice. Take, for example, our need for friendship and
companionship. Every human being needs the socialization which comes from meaningful
interaction with others. It has been my experience that times of loneliness and depression can best
be addressed by seeking out and enjoying the company and fellowship we share with our brothers
and sisters in Christ. The psychologists may tell you that they have discovered this, but God knew
it long ago. That’s one reason he counseled, “let us consider one another to provoke unto love and
good works; not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting
one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day drawing nigh,” (Heb. 10:24-25). Fulfilling
this commandment actually redounds to our benefit.
When we pray to God because we are lonely, what do we expect Him to do? Magically
take away the loneliness? He may give us an opportunity to be reminded of those important verses
in Hebrews 10. And He knows about that need before we tell Him. As the poet, Mosie Lister,
expressed it back in 1955: “My Jesus knows when I am lonely, he knows each pain, he sees each
tear; he understands each lonely heartache, he understands because he cares.” God understands
man because he created man. He knows that we need companionship, friendship, socialization,
(cf. Heb. 4:15-16). And he has already prescribed the effective treatment for loneliness. God may
be answering such prayers by using the power of his word upon our conscience, which insists that
we faithfully attend the assemblies as we have been taught.
Another example is the need to be free of mental burdens of sorrow and disappointment.
Every human being has a “breaking point” up to which he can bear a certain level of mental anguish
and stress. God already knows this. But isn’t it comforting and reassuring to remember that God
will not permit his children to pass that breaking point? “There hath no temptation taken you but
such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are
able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it,”
(1 Cor. 10:13). As that beautiful song continues, “My Jesus knows when I am burdened, he knows
how much my heart can bear; he lifts me up, when I am sinking, and brings me joy beyond
compare.” Through principles set forth in his word, God patiently guides and trains us through the
hardships of life. He knows we need relief from stress, and He enables us to navigate such
challenges in a constructive way. What a blessing to serve a God, who already knows what we
need—even before we figure out how to ask Him!
