“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. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:7-12
I had several friends in high school and a few with whom I was especially close. These were the kind of friends who would welcome me in if I stopped by their house. If I needed something, they would help. If I just wanted to hang-out, they were there.
In Matthew 7:7-12, God is saying that He is there for His children…us. When we need something, we only need to ask and He provides. When we seek Him, we will find Him. He even welcomes us into His presence.
God is the giver of all good gifts and He loves to give to His children. He loves to spend time with them. He makes Himself available to us, anytime.
When we’ve sinned, however, it’s a little different story. See what Jesus says in Revelation 3,
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” – Revelation 3:19-20
Just when we might expect God to remove Himself from us, He comes to us. He doesn’t just make Himself available, He comes to us and knocks at the door of our heart because He wants to forgive us and restore us. How amazing!
Dear Jesus,
I am in awe that I am welcomed into the presence of God, Almighty. I am even more amazed that You come to me at just the time when I have failed You, seeking to forgive me and renew me. Lord, help me to come to you in my times of trouble and my times of joy. Help me especially to answer Your knock when I have sinned and repentantly open the door for You.
Amen
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Kurt
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