Matthew 7:8 AMPC
[8] 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.
Jesus' first Sermon recorded by Matthew had different areas of focus, ranging from murder, anger and malice, to fundamental issues such as trusting in God and in the verse above, the joy of seeking God in prayer. It has to first be established that Jesus was speaking to His disciples. Now, the crowd was there, listening to His every word, but the standards He was laying down was not for the uncommitted majority but the few decided ones who knew what they were after. It is quite comfortable to blend in with the crowd; you can hide behind the many to not be known for anything. It is easier to blend in than to stand out. However, for disciples, there is no option to blend in. You get no points for being lackadaisical about the things that matter to God, or being lukewarm about commitment to Him. The crowd is permitted to come in and go out as it pleases; not so for disciples.
Which one am I: part of the many in the crowd, or brave enough to commit to a walk with God, no matter the personal price demanded? One message for disciples in the verse above is consistency and persistence. You do not get to give up at the first sign of resistance or refusal; you do not get to give up when the going gets tough. Another lesson for disciples in the verse above is that silence or inaction on the matters that concern me is criminal. I can decide to moan or complain about the issues I have, or I can decide to take them to the Master and Lord of my life. There is no middle ground here; there is no room for inaction. How can I have the Master of the Universe as my Father, and not take advantage of the access I have been given? How can I complain that I lack anything, if I have not even taken the first step to approach my Father and ask Him for help?
No matter how complex the need, the help of God is meet for every problem. There is an appropriate provision for every vision that God births and gives to His own. Doors can have been in place for centuries, but when the King of glory wants to come in, those doors must be lifted up. Mountains may have stood for generations, but when Jesus speaks, they give way. Valleys may have existed for years, but when Jesus gives the command, they are levelled. There is no situation so far gone that it is beyond the grace of God to address. What is that thing that you are confused about? What is that problem that defies answers? What is that long-standing issue that has proven stubborn? Take them all to God in prayer, trust in His power to deal with them, and keep reminding Him. That is a sign that you trust His ability, capacity and capability. God is not like man who gets tired of repetition; He wants me to come as often as possible. Would you? God's time of favour is here.
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