Conclusions!

Conclusions!

For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened. Matthew 7:8 AMPC

Context and Charge:

It is always important to clarify who is the audience being addressed here. Matthew has it as part of the Sermon on the Mount, while Luke also has it as part of his teaching to his disciples. One thing is common to both accounts: Jesus spoke these words to his followers and disciples, not the crowd. The crowd has no long-term allegiance so it is under no obligation to commit to anything. It is important that I sort out my allegiance; who am I? Where do I fit? What is expected of me? I have the assignment to ask, seek and knock, depending on the need at the time. 

I also note that most times, what I need may not get to my hand physically as soon as I ask for it, but there is a place for God to teach me some other important life lessons, as I wait to get what I have asked for. There is a reason why today's extract enphasizes the continuous nature of the assignment. It is not something you do once and then give up simply because you didn't get it, but you press on with the assignment, confident in your relationship with the person who has told you to ask, seek or knock. The fact that I press on tells God that I know He can do what I ask, seek or knock for. I keep at the back of my mind the power of this relationship with the Father. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

I am able to ask, seek and knock because He is the One who says I should. If He could not do it, He won't emphasize his power over the impossible. If He could not do it, his nature forbids him to lie. For all who have surrendered their lives to Jesus, they have access to the rich treasure of all that God has made available in that same Jesus. You cannot bypass him to get to the Father; Jesus is the Way, Truth and Life and no one can come to the Father and take of what is available outside of Jesus. The question then is: "Am I a child of God, with access to the Father and all that He is and has"? 

The answer from God matches the request. In that same account from which today's extract is taken, Jesus says no father gives a child a stone in place of bread, or a snake in place of fish. The natural affection of man ensures that, within his means, he is able to provide what his child asks for. If this is true of the natural man, imagine the power of the love of our heavenly father, whose promises can be trusted, and who has consistently been found to be faithful to his Word. I can trust his heart of love, and therefore I can trust his Word of assurance. I press on, sure and confident that God's got my back, and all will end well. God's time of favour is here.