Matthew 7:7-11 part 2

Matthew 7:7 – 11 ESV 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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.  Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?  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

This passage has Jesus teaching about asking, seeking, and knocking.  In part one of this section, I talked about asking.  Today let’s look at seeking and knocking.

Asking is the first stage.  When God does not seemingly answer right away it is often because he wants us to persevere and come to Him with greater intensity.  Jesus tells two parables elsewhere.  One parable is about a persistent widow who wears down a corrupt judge by continually pestering him for justice (Luke 18:1-8).  The other parable is about a man asking his friend for bread late at night (Luke 11:5-8).  The man does not want to get out of bed but the insistent friend keeps asking until the man gives him bread to get him to go away.

For a long time I didn’t understand those parables because they seem to make God look bad by comparing Him to a corrupt judge and a reluctant friend.  I now realize that those characters do not represent God.  The focus is not on God’s response but on the person asking.  Jesus is saying that even people who do not want to give you something will relent if you keep petitioning.  How much more will we receive from a loving God who wants to give to us.  Therefore, we need to come to God boldly and ask.  Not demand, not claim, but ask with boldness.

When God does not give us what we ask for there is a reason for it.  We need to seek for that reason.  We should search our hearts to see what our motive is.  Are we being greedy or asking for something to gratify our worldly desires?  If yes, then that is the reason.

Assuming we are asking for something God delights in giving such as; peace, joy, strength, faith, love, compassion, serving opportunities, etc. then we need to look for the reason why He isn’t giving it.  We should seek God.  Perhaps we are not ready for what we are asking for.  Maybe God has given it but we don’t recognize it.

Once we find the answer, then we need to take action – knocking.  Perhaps we were asking for peace but did not get it.  Then we sought after God and He revealed some area of disobedience.  We need to take the action of repenting which would be knocking.  Or maybe we were asking for an opportunity to serve but God gave us a different way to serve.  Once we realize it, we need to take action to serve in the way God gave us.

When we ask God will give if we are asking correctly for the right things.  When we seek diligently God will show us what we seek for.  When we take action God will open opportunities.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me what is good.  Give me a heart that comes boldly to You in reverent fear.  Cause me to seek You faithfully, and knock expectantly.