Keep Knocking
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. - Matthew 7:7-8
Have you ever felt like God wasn’t listening to you? Maybe you’ve prayed about a problem, and it didn’t go away. Maybe you’ve asked Him to fulfill a need, and it’s still unfulfilled. The last thing we need to do is give up on God.
The Message version translates this passage like this: “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
If you’re a parent, you know there isn’t anything you would do to intentionally hurt your children, and you would move heaven and earth to provide for their every need. Think of how much greater God’s love for us must be as our Creator and Heavenly Father. He formed us out of nothing, breathed life into our very lungs, and gave His only Son to die on the cross for our sins. All He asks from us is obedience.
In Matthew 7, He didn’t say, “Ask once, and you will receive.” He said, “Keep on asking…” He didn’t say, “Seek for a little bit, and you will find.” He said, “Keep on seeking….” He didn’t say, “Knock once, and the door will be opened.” He said, “Keep on knocking…” It is the act of obedience when we keep asking, seeking, and knocking that releases God’s blessing in our lives.
While His answer may not always look like we want it to, it is always good and perfect. He sees the big picture and knows exactly what we need. We must continue to trust in Him and be obedient to His Word.
JOURNAL: What are you asking God for right now? Are you discouraged that it hasn’t been answered yet? Share your thoughts and feelings with the Lord. He can handle them, whatever they may be.
ACTIVATION/PRAYER: Write your prayer requests down in your journal and continue praying for them until you receive an answer. The answer may be yes, no, or wait; but keep praying until you hear from God.
Have you ever felt like God wasn’t listening to you? Maybe you’ve prayed about a problem, and it didn’t go away. Maybe you’ve asked Him to fulfill a need, and it’s still unfulfilled. The last thing we need to do is give up on God.
The Message version translates this passage like this: “Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
If you’re a parent, you know there isn’t anything you would do to intentionally hurt your children, and you would move heaven and earth to provide for their every need. Think of how much greater God’s love for us must be as our Creator and Heavenly Father. He formed us out of nothing, breathed life into our very lungs, and gave His only Son to die on the cross for our sins. All He asks from us is obedience.
In Matthew 7, He didn’t say, “Ask once, and you will receive.” He said, “Keep on asking…” He didn’t say, “Seek for a little bit, and you will find.” He said, “Keep on seeking….” He didn’t say, “Knock once, and the door will be opened.” He said, “Keep on knocking…” It is the act of obedience when we keep asking, seeking, and knocking that releases God’s blessing in our lives.
While His answer may not always look like we want it to, it is always good and perfect. He sees the big picture and knows exactly what we need. We must continue to trust in Him and be obedient to His Word.
JOURNAL: What are you asking God for right now? Are you discouraged that it hasn’t been answered yet? Share your thoughts and feelings with the Lord. He can handle them, whatever they may be.
ACTIVATION/PRAYER: Write your prayer requests down in your journal and continue praying for them until you receive an answer. The answer may be yes, no, or wait; but keep praying until you hear from God.
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