Matthew 7:7 AMP
[7] “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.
The Context and Focus:
The focus again is on the first sermon of Jesus on the mountain, as he sat with his disciples on the top, with a large crowd also listening to Him at the foot of the mountain. As always, defining the audience is critical to setting expectations and demanding any kind of commitment from anyone. What command can I give to someone who is not under my direct control and influence? How can I direct the behaviour of someone who bears no true allegiance to me? Would someone who is not even on the same wavelength with me listen to anything I have to say? That is the position as it relates to the verse above. Jesus was speaking to disciples; people He could command obedience and allegiance from. Before I go making false claims, trying to lay hold of things that do not concern me, or trying to take hold of things that I am not entitled to, I need to sort out my allegiance and my loyalty. Who am I serving? Who is the Lord of my life, directing my pursuits and my priorities? Have I submitted to Jesus as Lord and Saviour? Does He run my life, or am I the one still in full control?
The Message:
The answers to these questions define my entitlements. When the verse above says I should 'ask, and keep on asking', it has to be based on the clear understanding that I know the person who I am asking from, I know what his will for my life is, and that I am ready and willing to surrender completely to His will. I will not waste my time coming to someone who I know quite clearly does not have what i want, unless I want to listen to deception and lies. I ask and keep at it, because I know that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all I can ask or imagine. As long as my requests line up with God's will, he promises I will be given. The reason why I keep asking is because there is usually a time frame between the asking and the giving. Also, there is an expectation behind the instruction to 'seek, and keep on seeking'. You must have a clear idea of what you are looking for, so you can recognize it when you find it. Is there anyone who goes seeking for what is not lost, or what has not yet been obtained in the first place? I keep at it because I know that there is no demand on earth that can exhaust the resources of heaven.
The Conclusion:
I also 'knock, and keep on knocking' because there are doors that may not open without my taking action. When it comes to the things of God, access is a big deal. By faith in Jesus, I have to the riches of grace and salvation, but it is a door I must be careful to keep open, by living daily dependent on that grace. With this access comes other benefits, and there are some that may not come without a fight. The devil also knows the benefits that accrue to me through salvation, so he will place obstacles and hindrances on my path to distract or discourage me. However, confidence in the One I have come to know, trust in, and depend on will keep me focused. I do not look at the size of the storms, or the velocity of the winds, but simply depend on the One who has called me to Himself. He does not lie, so He would not claim he can do what He cannot. If He has said it, He has the power, capacity and capability to do all He has promised to do. I just need to know what he has promised. I can do that when I spend time to know him and what he wants from me. God's time of favour is here.
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