Matthew 7:7-8 (New Living Translation)
Words of Jesus:
Keep 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.
I grew up hearing this verse. I heard pastors tell me to ask and I will receive eternal life. Asked. Check that off the list. I heard pastors preach a gospel of prosperity utilizing this passage. Ask and whatever is asked of, it will be given to you! This theology made God into a genie of sorts, ready to answer any wish we command.
It has only been in the past few years, facing unknowns and shaky futures, that I have come to a new place with this scripture passage. About a month ago, I was sitting with this old familiar passage and began asking God in fervent tone, "What is it that You promise? What's on the other side of the ask?"
Here's what God pressed upon my heart. (That's how God speaks to me).
"My presence."
My presence. My presence is the gift. Ask and you will receive (my presence). Seek and you will find (my presence). Knock and the door will be opened to you (to my presence). The gift is not a guarantee of health, wealth, security, happiness, partnership, fame. No, no. The gift of asking, seeking, knocking is that God is WITH US, always and forever.
Think about that. Always and forever you do not need to walk this life alone. In your unanswered prayer, what if God is saying, "I am the gift. My presence goes with you in what you face."
Today, can we pause and take a moment to recognize the things we bring before our loving God? May we ask, seek, knock, regardless of the outcome. May we press in to the Spirit of God's presence among us and with gratitude, thank God for the reminder that we are loved and not alone.