October 25: Good things to those who ask

Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him. (Matthew 7:7-11 — Holman Christian Standard Bible)

These encouraging and inspiring words were spoken by Jesus Christ the Son of God. The One who came from the Father, who knows the Father in heaven perfectly, and who can speak only the truth — He is the One who is teaching us these things and promising these blessings! There can be no question about the truth of these words. Furthermore, there are thousands upon thousands of people who can testify to the fact that they have found by actual experience these promises to be true. People in all kinds of situations have found that God answers prayer. That is the main truth that Jesus is proclaiming here: "Your Father in heaven gives good things to those who ask Him!"

But you have to ask! How few people really pray! They think they can manage on their own, or they don't really believe prayer does anything, or they "don't want to bother God" with their problems. Some people will "make a stab" at praying for a couple days, but soon give up. Praying properly and effectively takes faith, trust, and determination. Jesus states that God is a better Father and a more generous Father than any earthly father. If you believe that with all your heart, then there is no limit to what you can receive or what you can accomplish through prayer!

Decide right now that you are going to quit doubting and really trust God! Start doing what He says in these verses. Ask God for what you need, and what you want to see in other people's lives. Seek for what you need from God and ways that you can help Him answer your prayers. Knock and keep on knocking until God opens the door!