...Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Luke 11:9-10
Funny; I wasn't going to do this verse today. However, God has me chewing on it. I typically hear this verse directed to hurting, non-believers. Or the focus is verse 9, "...ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." People take that as, "I just kneel; state what I want; and VOILA! There it is." Just for the sake of correctness, I will point out that the context of these verses in Luke, is part of Jesus answering His disciples, the question of, "Teach us how to pray". (These verses are also found at Matthew 7:7-8)
Today God is telling me to focus on verse 10 and speak to you who are believers. ARE you asking? ARE you seeking? ARE you knocking? Or did you say in your prayers this morning (if you prayed this morning), "Lord! I wish You would just tell me what You want me to do about this thing or that! Okay - I have to go now - my coffee is ready. Thanks Lord." And then get your coffee so you could get on the phone and consult your friends as to what you should do?
Why do you suppose Jesus suggests asking AND seeking AND knocking? Could it be because He is telling you that you need to spend the time doing the work? When there is something in your life that you have asked for God's help with, and the help is not forthcoming - or the answer is not clear, perhaps it is because He has already provided the answer but YOU have not spent enough time with Him to hear it. Don't get me wrong - there ARE times when God's answer is "wait" but as God is asking ME today (yes - insert S4J everywhere you see the word YOU), "How much time did you spend praying over that subject? How much time did you spend searching My Word for the answer? Were you actually paying attention during your devotion time, or were you thinking about how well this would blog? Did you go to the PHONE or did you go to the THRONE? And who is your request about? Is it about Me, or is it about you?"
Jesus is perfect. He does not lie. If He SAYS ask, seek, and knock, and you will get it - then that is what will happen.
Ouch. I have to go take a nap now. Geez.
