Ask

I know that I have written about this before but I feel the need to write these words as I sit at my desk tonight.  One of my favorite Bible verses is Matthew 7:7 (or Luke 11:9).

“Ask, and it will be given to you;  seek, and you will find;  knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ”  Matthew 7:7-8 ESV

I find comfort in the knowledge that if I need something then I should ask.  But there are a couple of points that we really need to pay attention to here.

1. We must act.  In other words, we have to ask, seek, and knock.  We can not just sit back and expect to get what we need or want without asking.  Even though God knows our every want and need, it is important for us to make the effort to ask.  When we ask we acknowledge that we are dependent upon Him and that we desire His help in our lives.
2. If we ask we will get an answer.  If we seek, we will find the answer.  If we knock, the door will be opened for us.  However, this does not mean that we will always get the answer that we are looking for.  We do not know the entirety of God’s plan for our lives.  We don’t know why things don’t always happen the way that we want them to.  And sometimes we ask for things that are not in our best interest.  Just because the answer or the gift is not what we expected we can count on the fact that it is what we need.
3. Everyone who asks receives.  I really like this part of this Scripture.  This does not say that only God’s favorites are answered.  This does not say that only a select few will receive.  Jesus tells us that everyone receives, not just me but you will too.

These verses are familiar to most of us.  But it is the next couple of verses that completes Jesus’ quote that I really like.

⁹ Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 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 7:9-10 ESV

I really like the way that Jesus explains this to those who might have been staring at him with disbelief.  Would you give your child a stone if he asked for bread?  Of course you wouldn’t.  If we, as sinners, know how to give good things to our children then imagine how much better God is at giving things to His children.  I know over the years I have spoiled my kids, though they might tell you otherwise, but that does not compare to the amount of “spoiling” that God has done for me.

I haven’t deserved any of the gifts that He has given me.  I haven’t deserved any of the answered prayers.  None of us have.  But that doesn’t matter to Him.  Ask and we shall receive or to put it in terms that we can understand today, “Pray and be amazed.”  Be amazed at the grace that God offers each and every one of us.  Be amazed at the amount of blessings that He will bestow upon our lives.  Be amazed that we can simply talk to Him anytime, anywhere and He will answer.

The next time that you are facing obstacles in your life, remember this verse.  ”Ask and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  All you have to do is ask.

I have used these verses as a basis for my prayer chain, Ask4Prayer, for the past two years.  If you have a prayer need  please let me know.  I would love to pray for you.

You may also be interested in these posts.

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