Verse: Matthew 7:7-8 (ESV)
7 “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.
Devotion
The Bible is filled with references to God being our father, and we his children. If you have children (or have ever been around any) you know that when they decide they want something, they will ask until they get an answer. This passage indicates that God wants us to do the same thing!
As Brad shared with us on Sunday, the Greek verb forms used here for “ask”, “seek”, and “knock”, imply constant action. And there seems to be an escalation in urgency. God doesn’t want us to ask one time for something and then sit back and either expect it to happen or assume he hasn’t answered us. No, he says to ask and ask and ask, then to seek and seek and seek, then to knock and knock and knock. Just like a child…his child!
We also heard Sunday two stories of answered prayers, neither of which came by any means quickly. Persistence is key to our requests. Not that we wear God down like a frustrated parent who finally gives up and gives in. But that we display our fervor, our commitment, our dedication, our faith and trust that he is there, he is listening, and he is willing and able to meet our needs.
Prayer
God, help me to be better about turning to you for my needs. And when I do, give me the persistence and the stamina of a child who won’t give up until they get the answer they are seeking, even if it may not always be the answer they want to hear. Amen.
Author: Dave MacDonald
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