I’ve heard these verses my whole life, but for some reason they have not impacted me in the way they should. If I understand these verses literally, without trying to draw my own conclusions and conditions, these verses are declaring that persistence in prayer results in answers from God. Let me get a little technical. The words ask, seek, and knock are in the present imperative (Greek language), which means a continuous or repeated action. Literally these verses say “keep on asking, seeking, and knocking.” Jesus is referring to a constant attitude of prayer about a certain matter (vv.7-8). He promises that the result of continuous asking will be receiving. The result of continual seeking will be finding. The result of repeated knocking will be that the door will be opened. Wow! It seems like Jesus is saying that the main key to getting God to respond is persistence (never quitting). Then Jesus explains why God responds to continuous prayer – He loves to give good things to those who ask (v.11). Verses 9-10 reveal God’s character to us by asking two questions…if a son asks his father for bread will he give him a stone and if a son asks for a fish will he give him a snake? The assumed answer is NO! A good father would never give his son something opposite of what he asks. Then Jesus says something totally profound – If earthly (evil, sinful) fathers know how to give good gifts, then how much more will God (good, perfect) give to those who ask Him (v.11). I need to let that settle in my mind… Maybe the reason I don’t receive things is because I don’t ask in the first place or maybe because I give up too soon. What is it today that you desire from God more than anything…I mean what do you really want God to do? Start by asking, start by seeking, start by knocking. If God doesn’t respond today, maybe He’ll respond tomorrow. If He doesn’t respond tomorrow then I need to keep asking until He intervenes. God promises to give good gifts to those who ask, so I’m going to start today realizing that every good gift and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17). God is the provider of all that is good, I just need to show that I really desire it and He’ll answer. It really comes down to this – do you believe God is making a promise to His children in Matthew 7:7-11? If you do, then you KNOW that He has promised to answer. Don’t give up and don’t lose heart! Meditate on these verses for a few minutes…
Dear God, today I am asking that You…. You’ve promised to answer and I’ll keep asking, seeking, and knocking until You follow through with what You’ve promised!
