Ask, Seek, Knock
By Megan J. Conner
Bible Reading:
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” - Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
Do you feel like there are needs in your life, or desires in your heart that remain unfulfilled? Perhaps you are longing for a change of circumstances, in need of tangible provision, or losing hope over a lingering, neglected dream. Maybe you wonder if God is aware of these aspirations and is intentionally choosing to deny your desires. But before you assume the Lord is uninterested, ask yourself, have you brought these cares to Him?
The Word of God repeatedly offers us invitation after invitation to bring our concerns and requests to the Lord. Philippians 4:6 encourages us not to be “… anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present our requests to God,” (NIV). When worries feel weighty, we can bring these feelings of overwhelm to the Lord. He is not standing far off, but instead is ready and waiting for us to call upon Him.
Hebrews 4:14-16 also reminds us how Jesus walked among humanity, and not only empathizes with our weaknesses and desires, but He fully understands. As such, we can “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need,” (NIV). The Lord is not only able, but ready and willing to offer comfort and provision. Even further, He reminds us that when we take delight in Him, He will give us the desire of our hearts (Ps. 37:4).
Friend, God is not withholding good gifts from you, but you and I both have a part to play in the process. Years ago, my husband shared a teaching on today’s passage. Though his message was preached almost fifteen years ago, it is one that has remained with me to this day. Through his study, I learned that if we look closely, this scripture offers three distinct directives: ask, seek, knock.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matt. 7:7, NKJV).
The true message of this passage is one of perseverance. In today’s on-demand, instant fulfillment culture, we have lost a measure of determined persistence. When something doesn’t work out as planned, it is much easier for us to just sit down, give up, or walk away. But the Lord is calling us to stretch ourselves beyond our supposed boundaries. To fight for what we desire and to fight for our relationship with Him. He is not denying us. He is compelling us to exert effort, not sit idly by with casual expectation. He is calling us to action. Ask. If that doesn’t work, then seek. If seeking remains elusive, knock. He promises He will respond.
The passage goes on to say, “or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being 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!” (Matt. 7:7-11, NKJV).
Our Heavenly Father truly is a good father. He longs to behold and bless His children. He is simply waiting for us to take the initiative. To ask… to seek… to knock.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Are you carrying unfulfilled desires in your heart? Do you feel like God is distant or intentionally denying you a potential destiny? If so, ask yourself, when was the last time you brought these petitions to the Lord? Even if your dreams have remained dormant for years, I encourage you, continue to bring your requests to Him. Though the final outcome may not be exactly what you had in mind, you can be assured that He hears your plea and will respond when you call.
Take some time today to look up the dictionary definition of the word “perseverance.” Then, consider if your actions or communications with the Lord exemplify perseverance. Is there any room for adjustments or improvements? If so, ask the Lord to help you draw near to Him, trusting that whatever the outcome, His work in your life is ultimately for your good and is fulfilling your deepest desires.
Further Reading:
Luke 18:1-8
Heb. 4:14-16
Join the conversation! Share how today’s devotional encouraged or challenged you in your walk with Christ.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Aliaksandra Ivanova / EyeEm
To read more from Megan, check out her Blog, Just One More Chapter. If you would like to connect further with Megan, you can discover more on her Website, on Facebook, or Instagram.
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