April 6, 2018
These Three Verbs
Matthew 7:7-8
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
These three verbs, ask & seek & knock, absolutely indicate the importance of persistence in prayer, but the progression of these action words are important too as they are presented in a very specific order. Why isn’t it knock, ask & seek?
Asking is what we naturally do. Lord, here’s my request. Paul says to simply tell God what you need (Philippians 4:6) and Peter says God doesn't mind at all when we do that (Give your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 ). Then, as I mull it over and compare it to God’s Word, I’m seeking. We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) Lastly, knocking is just asking again after I’ve compared my request to God’s expressed will from His Word. Twice Jesus says, Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! (John 14:14)
For everyone who asks receives... Keep in mind, that Jesus is telling Believers to ask, seek, and knock. We already agree with everything Jesus ever said or did, and we agree will all God’s Commands, and we agree that He is good. So, what we ask for isn’t random and inappropriate or unbecoming.
The one who seeks finds... When we capture our thoughts and compare it to scripture,
we learn a lot about our requests and allow God to shape them. I find lots of times that God simply changes my mind about situations and circumstances I’ve taken to him in prayer.
And to the one who knocks, the door will be opened... Knocking is just asking again; this time after the sincerely seeking part. Prayers for the one who asks, seeks, and knocks are answered affirmatively because God either graciously gives what we ask, or he changes our minds about the original request. And he changes my mind a lot, and that’s fine with me because I want HIS will. I’ll knock all day to get that!
Believers sincerely ask, sincerely seek, and sincerely knock. Persistent prayers become agreements with God’s Will, and we not only find what we’re really looking for but exactly what we truly need!
Dear God,
Thank you for your progression of verbs for me in Matthew chapter seven. Thank you that you don’t mind my asking, you guide my seeking, and you open the door to where I need to go, what I need to do and say and how to be. I love you so much, and I’m so grateful that you communicate with me and guide my life and my prayers. You are spectacular and helpful and I thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
These Three Verbs
Matthew 7:7-8
Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
These three verbs, ask & seek & knock, absolutely indicate the importance of persistence in prayer, but the progression of these action words are important too as they are presented in a very specific order. Why isn’t it knock, ask & seek?
Asking is what we naturally do. Lord, here’s my request. Paul says to simply tell God what you need (Philippians 4:6) and Peter says God doesn't mind at all when we do that (Give your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7 ). Then, as I mull it over and compare it to God’s Word, I’m seeking. We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5) Lastly, knocking is just asking again after I’ve compared my request to God’s expressed will from His Word. Twice Jesus says, Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! (John 14:14)
For everyone who asks receives... Keep in mind, that Jesus is telling Believers to ask, seek, and knock. We already agree with everything Jesus ever said or did, and we agree will all God’s Commands, and we agree that He is good. So, what we ask for isn’t random and inappropriate or unbecoming.
The one who seeks finds... When we capture our thoughts and compare it to scripture,
we learn a lot about our requests and allow God to shape them. I find lots of times that God simply changes my mind about situations and circumstances I’ve taken to him in prayer.
And to the one who knocks, the door will be opened... Knocking is just asking again; this time after the sincerely seeking part. Prayers for the one who asks, seeks, and knocks are answered affirmatively because God either graciously gives what we ask, or he changes our minds about the original request. And he changes my mind a lot, and that’s fine with me because I want HIS will. I’ll knock all day to get that!
Believers sincerely ask, sincerely seek, and sincerely knock. Persistent prayers become agreements with God’s Will, and we not only find what we’re really looking for but exactly what we truly need!
Dear God,
Thank you for your progression of verbs for me in Matthew chapter seven. Thank you that you don’t mind my asking, you guide my seeking, and you open the door to where I need to go, what I need to do and say and how to be. I love you so much, and I’m so grateful that you communicate with me and guide my life and my prayers. You are spectacular and helpful and I thank you and pray in Jesus’ name, amen.
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