A Story of Persistence
Anna was at her wits’ end. She had been praying fervently for a job for months, but nothing seemed to work.
She attended interviews and sent out countless resumes, but the doors just wouldn’t open. Discouraged, she confided in her friend Mia.
Mia listened patiently and then shared a powerful truth from the Bible. “Anna, Jesus said”:
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7 (NKJV)
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“It’s not enough to just pray – you need to actively seek God’s will and knock persistently on the doors He leads you to.”
Anna took Mia’s words to heart. She realized that her prayers alone weren’t enough – she needed to couple them with diligent action and an unwavering faith that God would provide.
From that day on, Anna sought God’s guidance like never before, knocking on every opportunity that aligned with His will.
A few weeks later, Anna landed her dream job. The road had been long, but her persistence paid off. She learned the profound truth behind Jesus’ words: “Seek and you will find.”
Finding God’s Will
The first step in receiving anything from God is to discern His will. The Bible says:
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
1 John 5:14 (NIV)
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We can’t expect to receive blessings that contradict God’s plan for our lives.
So, how do we find God’s will? Through prayer, studying the Bible, and seeking godly counsel.
As we draw near to God, His desires for our lives become clearer. It’s a journey of faith, one that requires patience and trust in His perfect timing.
Asking in Faith
Once we know God’s will, we can boldly ask Him for what we need. Jesus said:
“Ask and it will be given to you.”
Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
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But our asking must be coupled with unwavering faith.
The Bible tells us:
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6 (NIV)
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We must ask, believing that God hears us and will answer us according to His perfect plan.
Seeking Diligently
Asking alone is not enough – we must also seek diligently. Jesus said:
“Seek and you will find.”
Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
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This involves actively looking for God’s provision, and trusting that He has already prepared a way.
In Luke 15:8-10, Jesus tells the parable of the woman who lost a precious silver coin. She didn’t just pray about it – she lit a lamp, swept the house, and sought diligently until she found it. When she did, she rejoiced with her friends and neighbors.
Like this woman, we must seek God’s blessings with a determined, whole-hearted effort. It may not be easy, but the rewards are worth it.
Knocking Persistently
Even after asking and seeking, we may face closed doors. But Jesus encourages us to:
“Knock and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7 (NIV)
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This speaks of persistent prayer and action, refusing to give up until God’s promise is fulfilled.
In Luke 18:1-8, Jesus tells the story of a persistent widow who kept pleading with an unjust judge until he finally granted her request. Jesus concludes:
“Will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?”
Luke 18:7 (NIV)
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Like the widow, we must knock persistently on the doors God reveals to us, trusting that He will answer us in His perfect timing.
Receiving God’s Answers
When we ask, seek, and knock according to God’s will, He promises to answer. Sometimes the answer is immediate, but often it requires patience and continued trust.
God may answer in unexpected ways, leading us down paths we couldn’t have imagined. But we can be confident that He is working all things together for our good.
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
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As we continue seeking and knocking, God’s answers will become clearer. And when we finally receive what we’ve been asking for, our faith will be strengthened, and our relationship with Him will deepen.
Key Takeaways
- Find God’s will through prayer, Bible study, and godly counsel before asking for anything.
- Ask in faith, believing that God hears and will answer according to His perfect plan.
- Seek diligently, actively looking for God’s provision, and trusting that He has already prepared a way.
- Knock persistently, refusing to give up until God’s promise is fulfilled.
- Trust God’s timing and be open to His answers, which may come in unexpected ways.
Conclusion
Ask, seek, knock – these three simple yet profound actions hold the key to unlocking God’s boundless blessings in our lives.
As we walk in obedience and faith, seeking His will above all else, we can trust that He will answer our prayers in ways that far exceed our expectations.
So let us seek Him diligently, ask in faith, and knock persistently, knowing that our faithful God always rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What if I’m not sure about God’s will in a particular situation?
A. Keep seeking Him through prayer and His Word. God promises to guide those who genuinely desire to follow His will (Proverbs 3:5-6). Don’t be afraid to ask for wisdom and clarity.
Q. What if I’ve been asking, seeking, and knocking for a long time, but haven’t received an answer yet?
A. Remember that God’s timing is perfect. He may be working in ways you can’t see yet, or He may be testing your faith and patience. Don’t give up – continue knocking persistently, and trust that God will answer in His way and in His time.
Q. How do I know if I’m seeking diligently enough?
A. Seeking diligently means putting in consistent, whole-hearted effort. It may involve taking practical steps, exploring opportunities, or simply waiting on God’s leading with an open and obedient heart. The key is to keep your eyes fixed on Him and His promises.
Q. What if the door I’m knocking on seems to remain closed?
A. Sometimes God closes doors to redirect us or protect us from harm. Trust that He has a better plan and continue seeking His will and knocking on the doors He opens for you.
Q. Can I seek and receive anything I want from God?
A. No, we must seek according to God’s will, not our own desires. God knows what is best for us, and His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). When we align our hearts with His will, we can confidently seek and receive His blessings.
