Written by REVELATIONS FOR TODAY by Pastor Michael Obata
Matthew 7:7-8 – New Living Translation (NLT)
7Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.
How wonderful it is to have the ALMIGHTY GOD as a Loving and faithful FATHER. A GOD that cannot fail, and this same GOD admonished us to approach HIM without fear or any reservation, for HE loves and cares for us. We cannot doubt HIS love, for even when we were sinners, HE came in the flesh to be the perfect sacrifice that has redeemed us, sanctified, and glorified us. Will this same GOD who is our loving FATHER not do anything for us? Let us therefore Ask, Seek and Knock the right way, not neglecting any of these principles.
This world is challenging, and as Christians, we would face diverse challenges (John 16:33). However, we have the promise of our Heavenly FATHER that we will always overcome any challenge, trials or tribulations because we have A FATHER – the LORD of Hosts who cares for us. Let us therefore cast our cares to our FATHER for HE cares for us (1Peter 5:7). This will do in prayer. Through the scriptures, we understand the different types of prayers – when we are to approach our FATHER with our petitions and when we are to apply our FATHER’s Power & Authority at work in us as HIS children. The scriptures in John 14:13-14 say, “And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.” It is important to use the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST in our asking when we approach our FATHER in prayer.
Unfortunately, some Christians stop at asking. Getting the desired results goes beyond just asking. Christians must also Seek to find. Seeking means engaging the mind and spirit to hear from the FATHER through diligent understanding of HIS will and righteousness concerning that area of asking. What did GOD say concerning that area? What is the mind of GOD concerning that area? Have you been faithful and diligent with HIS laws and principles in that area? In general, have you really been seeking HIS kingdom and righteousness? Seeking involves persistence and not being distracted in order to hear from HIM. The fruit of seeking the FATHER is when we get a response from him – HIS WORD. That WORD is the RHEMA that we speak that produces results.
It does not end with seeking. When we seek, we find. Finding is the spiritual manifestation of what we have asked for. The next step is Knocking. The knocking is the principle that brings the spiritually answered request into physical manifestation. Knocking is the physical blueprint. Knocking is the step of Faith that we, the children of God, take after we have asked and sought. In knocking, we act under the guidance and direction of the HOLY SPIRIT, and then we begin to see the manifestation of answered prayers. When we take steps, we see doors the FATHER has opened unto us that no man can shut.
The scriptures in Hebrews 4:16 say, “Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious Favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. So, whenever we Ask, Seek and Knock it is done for us. Praise GOD!
Scripture meditation
John 15:1-10; 1 John 5:14-15, Mark 11:24, Romans 8:35-39 & Matthew 7:9-10.
Prayer
Loving FATHER, Your steadfast love and mercy never cease. You are my ever-present help in time of need. And thank You for the Grace to approach You at all times and to Ask, Seek and Knock concerning anything, because I know You answer me. I walk in Your righteousness always in Jesus’ Name.
Confession
I have a loving and faithful FATHER who has given me the Grace to Ask, Seek and Knock concerning anything!