Ask, Seek, Knock
I've heard many people use the phrase ask and you shall receive. Did you know that phrase is in the Bible? I wonder if those who use this phrase freely also realize that it's in the Bible. I just think it's so neat any time I hear this verse being quoted! Let's look at the verses. Matthew 7:7-8 reads as follows:
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; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
A few days ago, the Holy Spirit downloaded some knowledge into my spirit about this verse in regards to prayer and my walk with Jesus. The first sentence says for us to ask and we will receive. When I think of asking, I think of prayer. John 16:24 says Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full and Matthew 6:8 says that God knows what we need before we ask him. John 14:13-14 says Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ""If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. All of the above verses mention the word ask so we can be confident that when we ask God for things in prayer, God will answer us (in His timing and according to His Will).
When I think of the word ask, I also think of when we ask Jesus into our lives to be our Lord and Savior. When we do this, we receive him into our lives and hearts. We receive Him as our Savior, Healer, Advocate, Counselor, Physician, and everything else that he is to us. I know and believe this because God's Word says if we ask, we will receive.
Next, it says, if you seek, you will find. What I take this to mean is that if we seek God, we will find Him, His word says so. Whether we are new believers, or have been following Christ for years, we will find God if we continually seek him; He wants to be found! I remember when I first gave my life to Christ, I was in the Word a lot, (eating it up and getting plump and full from it). I was seeking God and boy was I getting to know Him. We were so close to one another. Then, after a while, I stopped. Things got in the way and life moved quickly moved on. I still believed in God, I was just not as active in seeking Him. Then I noticed His presence wasn't as strong. I knew He was with me, but He was silent. Now looking back, I feel like He purposely hid so that I would seek Him. I have had many seasons in my 7 year walk with Him in which God hid so that I would find Him. I have found Him, but each time, it required time, effort, humility, and perseverance. I thank God for these times, and that He did this to grow my faith and dependence on Him. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6). So wherever you are in your walk or whatever stage you are in, SEEK HIM my friend...and don't give up! You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13), and Psalm 105:4 says Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Google other verses about seeking! Go on!
Lastly, the verse above tells us that if we knock, the door will be opened. Let's quickly review. First we ask. We ask Jesus into our lives and ask God for things in prayer. Then, we seek. We seek God, get to know Him, learn about His character, build our relationship, and eventually we seek His guidance and will for us. Now we knock. Why do we knock do you suppose?
Well, if you read the Bible, it talks about the parts of the temple which are the Outer Courts, the Inner Courts, and the Holy of Holies. (There is also reference of these three being three different realms, it's quite interesting.) And according to the Bible (Old Testament), the Holy of Holies is where God's presence was and only a special priest under special guidelines could be in that room (Holy of Holies) or they would die. Now that Jesus has come and gone back up to Heaven, we can also use prayer to enter the Holy of Holies. I have not entered this place yet, but I believe if we continue to knock and draw close to God in prayer and faith, we can enter this place and what a joy it will be. I am no Theologian, so please read up on this and do your research to find out more, but my point is that there is so much more to God than what we know or what we are experiencing! We must knock on God's door; He tells us to. We ask and receive Him, then we seek God and we find Him. Now we must pursue Him and knock on His door; His word says He will open it.
Let's knock and enter into His presence and all that He has for us. We must pursue God. Luke 13:25 says Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, Lord, open up to us!' then He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know where you are from. Scripture also tells us that God also pursues us. Revelation 3:20 says Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
If you feel God is knocking on your door, what are you waiting for? Will you open the door to the God and Creator of the Universe to come into your heart? He is the Guest of Honor. Haven't you ever heard about a party that you really wished you had been invited to? Or wanted to go to a meeting or gathering of important people? All we have to do is knock, and we can join the most glorious gathering ever? Who wouldn't want to dine with God? He doesn't need you to be perfect or have it all together. He loves you and accepts you just as you are. Like Zacchaeus, Jesus is saying to you, Child, I must stay at your house today (Luke 19:5b). Let the Lord in, it will be the best thing you've ever done!
Let us Pray.
Father God,
Thank You for the readers and this message. I pray that You open our hearts and use the scripture and message above to penetrate our hearts, minds, spirits, and soul. Give us your wisdom, knowledge, and understanding so that we can grasp what You would like us to know today. You say if we ask, we will receive. Let us ask, seek, and knock. Show the readers that their walk can be so much more meaningful and fulfilling than it is. You say no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived"" -- the things God has prepared for those who love him--(1 Corinthians 2:9). Let us continue in our faith and ask, seek, and knock according to Your Will. Continue to answer the reader's prayers and work in their lives. Let them come into Your presence by their prayers and as they seek You. Thank You for Your promises and faithfulness! We praise You for You are real, good, powerful, and loving! There is no one like You, God. Thank You for loving and accepting us. In Jesus name, amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
