God has pledged himself to answer every prayer of faith, although he never pledged himself to give us precisely the thing asked for, except under certain conditions. We often ask for foolish and hurtful things. A hungry child might see a stone in his father's house, and, deceived by the resemblance,, might think it to be a loaf, and ask for it. Not even a man would be mean enough to mock his child's desire by giving him the stone, let alone God. Or mistaking a serpent for a fish, as we so often do, we might make request for it. But God is far too good to give it to us. If even we know how to give good gifts unto our children, how much more shall the Father in heaven give good things to them that ask him! Is that a problem? It's an easy one. Just as much more as God is better and wiser than we are. The emphasis here is not so much on the giving as on knowing how to give the right thing. But note, further, he does give something always--we never ask in vain; if not the thing we ask for, then a better thing; always "good things." And no true prayer falls to the ground. "O Jehovah of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee." [38]

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