Ask, and it shall be given you;
Seek, and ye shall find;
Knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:7
As I have been interceding for Bill and Terry these two weeks, the importance of prayer has again become for me a major interest and calling for another search in God’s Word.
I was led to Jesus’ words instructing us to ask, seek, and knock. His words are not just thrown out to us for a random catch. Every word He spoke ~ every word recorded ~ has infinite meaning. If we want to know the depths of His words, we need to go beneath the surface. If we are to understand the full meaning of His words, we must dig deeper into the whole counsel of the written Word for the heavenly substance contained in them. We must search for the legacy that is ours as His disciples.
Thinking this would be a simple 1-2-3-presentation, I started to search and as usual, discovered more, much more than I anticipated. Again overwhelmed with the treasure of God’s Word, we must break this into three parts: Ask, Seek, and Knock.
As you can tell from the title, His message is to teach us what it means to ASK with the understanding that asking, seeking, and knocking are three forms of the same desire to apprehend and claim what is promised from the Giver of all things.
ASK in the Old Testament
In Hebrew ask ~ shâʼal, shaw-al’ meaning to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.
God commands us to ask and He tells us in His Word what we are claim from Him as the Giver. He would not tell us to ask except that He waits to be gracious to us and grant our request. The first references are from the Old Testament.
In Isaiah 45:11 the Lord says “concerning the work of my hands command ye me.”
“Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.”
Isaiah 58:2
#godbased. #God #hewillbringaboutchangeinyouandaroundyou #hiswordhiswill
The phrase "Ask, Seek, Knock" from Matthew 7:7 is a cornerstone teaching about prayer and faith in Christian theology. It underscores a dynamic relationship between humanity and God, where believers are encouraged to actively and persistently reach out to God for their needs and desires. In the original text, "Ask" (Hebrew shâʼal) signifies not only requesting but also the act of inquiry and demanding, which conveys a deep earnestness in prayer. This highlights that God invites us to communicate openly and specifically with Him. The importance of asking is further supported by Old Testament scriptures such as Isaiah 45:11 and Isaiah 58:2, where God's people are urged to inquire of Him, acknowledging His sovereign authority over creation and justice. This illustrates that prayer is not passive but an active engagement with God’s will and His promises. Moreover, "Seek" implies a continuous, diligent pursuit of God’s presence and guidance, while "Knock" symbolizes persistent perseverance to gain access to God's blessings and wisdom. Together, these actions reflect progressive steps in a believer's spiritual journey toward growing intimacy and trust in God. In practical terms, this teaching encourages believers to be bold and faithful in prayer, trusting that God is attentive and willing to respond. It also promotes a deeper understanding of God's nature as gracious and generous, waiting to bless those who seek Him sincerely. The message extends beyond a simple request for blessings; it is a call to a transformative relationship where prayer molds the believer’s heart and aligns it with God’s purposes. The journey of "Ask, Seek, Knock" reveals a God who is not distant but approachable, desiring to engage with His people and fulfill His promises to them. In conclusion, embracing the full meaning of "Ask, Seek, Knock" enriches one’s spiritual life and encourages persistent, faith-filled communication with God, anchored in the deep and reassuring promises found throughout Scripture.