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Matthew 7:7, 8 - How to Ask, Seek and Knock to Receive, Find and Open.Matthew 7:7, 8 (ESV) "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.WORD STUDY Ask ... seek ... knock. Greek present imperatives are used here, indicating continual or repeated asking, seeking and knocking. Persistent prayer is being emphasized. [NIV SB 2020] Ask. Disciples should come to God in humility and awareness of need. Seek connects one's prayer with responsible action in pursuing the will of God. Knock suggests perseverance. Disciples are to persist in prayer, confident that their Father will provide whatever is best for them, according to his sovereign, gracious will. [ESV SB 2008] COMMENTARY PEARL "ASKING" makes it manifest that you realize your necessity; and if you ask in faith you will receive. The Lord has pledged His word, and it cannot fail. If you come with true contrition you need not feel that you are presumptuous in asking for what the Lord has promised. When you ask for the blessings you need, that you may perfect a character after Christ's likeness, the Lord assures you that you are asking according to a promise that will be verified. That you feel and know you are a sinner is sufficient ground for asking for His mercy and compassion... "SEEK." Desire not merely His blessing, but Himself ... Seek, and you shall find. God is seeking you, and the very desire you feel to come to Him is but the drawing of His Spirit. Yield to that drawing. Christ is pleading the cause of the tempted, the erring, and the faithless. He is seeking to lift them into companionship with Himself. "KNOCK." We come to God by special invitation, and He waits to welcome us to His audience chamber. ... Let those who desire the blessing of God knock and wait at the door of mercy with firm assurance, saying, For Thou, O Lord, hast said, "Everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." MB130-131 COMMENTARY Dare to Ask Do you get the jitters when you think about asking your boss for a raise? Consider a recent survey of 3,000 employees in the United Kingdom. Fifty-five percent are unwilling to ask for an increase. They either don't want to appear greedy, fear the reaction of their boss, or simply don't know what to say. Yet, Pew Research shows that salary is the reason 63 percent of people quit their jobs. According to financial business planners, asking for a raise is worth the risk. Today's promise comes toward the end of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. After outlining the principles of His kingdom - mainly, don't be angry (Matthew 5:21, 22), don't look with lust (vv. 27, 28), don't swear (vv. 33-37), turn the other cheek (vv. 38, 39), love your enemies (vv. 43, 44), don't be a hypocrite (6:2, 5, 16), don't serve money (vv. 19-21, 24), don't worry (vv. 25-34), and don't judge (7:1-5) - He Explains How His Hearers Can Follow His Commands. They Must "Ask," "Seek," And "Knock." Asking Means To Kneel Before God As Soon As We Need Help, Not As A Last Resort, Thus Acknowledging Our Constant Dependence On Him. Seeking Implies A Willingness To Search The Scriptures For Answers Based On His Will, Not Ours. And Knocking On Doors Suggests That We Have A Role To Play In Cooperating With The Conditions Of His Word. Every sincere prayer will be answered by our loving God. Sometimes the answer is yes, sometimes no, and sometimes wait. Whatever your need, don't be afraid to ask It's worth the risk. Dear Jesus, teach me to boldly come to Your throne whenever I have a need. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] Keep on Knocking I well know that to arrive at this state, the beginning is very difficult because we must act purely on faith. But though it is difficult, we know also that we can do all things with the grace of God. He never refuses those who ask earnestly. Knock. Persevere in knocking. And I answer for it, that, in His due time, He will open His graces to you. He will grant, all at once, what He has deferred during many years. - Letter 14 Brother Lawrence believes that the most powerful thing a Christian can do is pray. Yet how often do we give up on prayer when we don't immediately receive an answer? Jesus invites us to bring all of our requests to God, but His message is clear - persevere in your praying despite obstacles or difficulties. Our Perseverance In Prayer Is Designed To Help Us Discover God's Will As We Learn To Focus On The Lord's Faithfulness Rather Than Our Circumstances. What have you been seeking God about? What doors are you asking Him to open? Keep on asking. Keep on seeking. Keep on knocking. [The Practice of the Presence of God: 40 Day Devotional by Brother Lawrence/Alan Vermilye] INSIGHT ASK: ASK PRAYERFULLY FOR GOD'S WILL IN YOUR CONCERNS. SEEK: SEEK PRAYFULLY IN THE BIBLE FOR GOD'S WILL IN YOUR CONCERNS. KNOCK: PERSIST IN THESE AS GOD'S WILL OFTEN REQUIRES SPECIFIC TIMING. LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY Matthew 7:7, 8 - In Prayer We Ask, Seek and Knock to Receive, Find and Open. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210801-1023.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210218-1053.html 1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray Without Ceasing. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210628-0909.html Luke 18:1 - Always Pray and Avoid Being Discouraged. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140502-0921.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |