Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 32; Psalm 119:121-144; Isaiah 59; Matthew 7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8)
What are you asking God for right now? Jesus tells us to ask for the things we need. He also promises that the one who asks will receive. Do you ask God for things? What kind of things do you ask God for?
Some people say that prayer does not change things, it changes us. I suppose there is some truth in that, but the very CLEAR teaching of Scripture is that if you do not ask God for some things, you will not have those things.
…yet ye have not, because ye ask not. (James 4:2b)
So we are commanded and invited to ask God for the things we need. Do you ask God for selfish things? The Bible teaches us that our selfish motives will not be rewarded by God through answered prayer.
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (James 4:3)
God is not a coke machine. He does not simply give you every petty, selfish thing that you want. He is a wise and loving Father that knows what you need before you ask him.
…your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. (Matthew 6:8)
As a follower of Jesus, what do you have that is not in answer to believing prayer? Is there something you need? Jesus says, "Ask for it." What are you looking for? Seek for it and ye shall find it. Is a door closed to you? Knock on it and it will be opened. These are very precious promises to the follower of Jesus that remind us that we are needy children who rely upon our loving heavenly Father to give us the things that we need. We so want to be self-sufficient, but when we read the Word of God we are reminded of how limited and needy we are. Now we must add one more thing to our asking…faith.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. (James 1:6-7)
When we ask we must believe that God will answer our prayer. Where does faith come from?
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:17)
What has God promised in his Word that you need and do not have? Are you asking for it? Are you knocking on the door? Are you seeking for those things that are within the will of God for you? Then trust him and you shall have them!
In Christ,
Rody
