So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you
— Luke 11: 9
I was looking for a verse to use as an affirmation for today’s post and I happened across this one. Jesus had just finished praying when one of his disciples asked him to teach them about prayer. Jesus teaches the disciples what we know as the “Lord’s Prayer” and then he tells them a story about persistence. He says, in essence, that we should ask God for what we need boldly. Jesus also tells us to be persistent. Then he gives this assurance:
“Ask and it will be given you…”
He doesn’t say we should hang around and wait to see what God is going to do. He says, “ask.” Then he adds:
“… seek and you will find…”
Now, this is a little different. Seeking requires effort. Seeking means we take an active role in trying to find what we need or want. So what is he telling us? Is God going to bring us what we want on a silver platter? Apparently not. God expects us to be willing to make an effort.
Sometimes what we need or want is behind a door, out of sight. Maybe the door is imposing or looks like it hasn’t been opened in years. Is there a sign on the door that says “Nobody Home?” Does the doormat say, “Go Away!”? No matter how intimidating or uninviting a door might be, if what we need is behind it then it must be opened.
God doesn’t say “Open the door.” He says, “Knock.” Based on the little parable Jesus tells about persistence, it sounds like he wants us to knock, and then knock, knock, knock some more.
And then, you know what?
He says “…the door will be opened to you.”
Nice! 🙂
Application: When you ask God for something, seek out the door and then knock.
Food for Thought: Why doesn’t God simply give us what we ask for?
If He gives us something we ask for that is not in His will and is not good for us, He might be giving us something that could actually harm us in some way. Just as I would not give my children twinkies for every meal just because they ask for it. 1 John 5:14-15. Matthew 7:11.
The best prayer (knocking on a door) is when we, out of compassion, ask God for someone else’s need to be met.
The Lord knows what we have need of before we ask.
Thank you both for your comments today. I like to draw a distinction between what we need and what we want. I believe God meets our needs. As to wants, I think God honors those to the extent that they align with His will for us. (Ergo twinkies) Regardless, the process of asking, seeking and knocking is a good study.