A Sure Thing

 

[Jesus said] “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11 ESV).

 

We are skeptical by nature and experience. We have all heard the promises broken, the assurances voided, and the vows abandoned. It is natural to apply the same skepticism of life to the promises of God. However, as we see from our reading today, the search for God begins with an ironclad promise from Jesus: everyone who looks for God will surely find him. No one comes up empty. All who launch a quest for God can be sure, at the very start, that they will reach their destination. If we ask God to show himself to us, he will. If we knock on his door, it will open to us. That’s the only “sure thing”!

 

To drive the point home, Jesus compares God with human fathers. Though some fathers terribly neglect or abuse their children, it’s generally true that most fathers have a tender spot in their heart for their own flesh and blood. Many fathers will even lavish their children with more than we might expect. Of course, I am not echoing the false gospel so prevalent in some pulpits today that declares if we just ask enough, with enough faith and sincerity, that God is bond by this promise to do what we ask. This promise is not about getting “stuff.” It is about God honoring our request to open the door to know Him. It is about getting wisdom. It is about redemption and the ultimate gift of eternal life. That will never be denied to us. Let me say it another way. We can absolutely count on our Father in heaven, who loves all of us far more than we can ask or imagine (cf. Ephesians 3:20) to respond in generous love and grace to all who seek him. It’s impossible for anyone to fail if they really are searching for God, says Jesus.

 

There’s a wonderful principle that provides the foundation for this truth. You will always find Him when you ask, seek, or knock because He is already out searching for you even before we begin. I wonder if He has been drawing you closer and you simply didn’t notice it because of all the other “stuff” in the way. Let me encourage you to begin the journey of growth and purpose today. Be overcome with grace instead of grief. Open your heart expectantly. You will not be disappointed. It’s a sure thing!