LUKE 11:9-10

So I say to you, “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 will receive; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”

TO PONDER

As a little girl, I used to wonder why Jesus said these things, it seemed common sense. When we knocked, if people were home they opened the door; if something was lost we search until it was found and if I was sent to the lady who grew seedlings or the one who made my hair ribbons to ask for ribbons or seedlings I was given them.  Money was exchanged and I used to wonder why Jesus didn’t mention that.

That’s God’s gracious gift to us, he doesn’t ask for payment when, in prayer we seek his help. We are not long past Easter when he gave us the greatest gifts of all, his dearly loved son, Jesus, who died on the cross that we can have forgiveness of sins and a close relationship with God and look toward eternal life with him, and also his Holy Spirit who helps us to understand God’s Word. 

Can all this really be at no cost? Well it may be at no cost to you and me but it cost Jesus his life. A life he willingly laid down so that we could receive all these wonderful gifts. All we are told to do is ask. He invites us to persist in prayer seeking his help for what we need, help with what troubles us, and what direction to take with big decisions. He invites us to be bold and persistent; as was the man in the story Jesus told before the verses above. We are invited to seek out his Word persistently so that we always have the examples of how to live in the fullness of life he has set before us in Jesus. He will respond to our prayers, not always as we might wish, sometimes we may not even perceive an answer at all, but this wonderful God of creation just wants us to be BOLD when we ask for these things and trust he has it in hand.

 Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am always in awe of who you are and the intricacies and perfect detail of your creation and at times I think “Can I really bother God with this?’  I thank you for your assurance that I can come to you in prayer and you will hear my petition and act. It is very humbling that, as great as you are, you will listen to me, even when I come boldly and persistently. Please strengthen my faith and trust so I can gain the strength to act as you ask. Amen

Today's devotion written by Maureen Macpherson, LifeWay Newcastle