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Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 7:7 KJV
As Christians many times we fail to ask, seek, and knock. We get so busy, so utterly and completely consumed in the world and our "lives" that what we need we fail to ask for. What our souls yearn for we fail to seek. The door we need opened we walk right by, forgetting to even knock.
Many Christians will use this verse in different terms. "Ask for ANYTHING - prosperity...a child...a new car...a husband. And God will answer on-demand.
Sort of like a pizza-delivery-service. "I'd like a large order of some needed cash right now, please Lord. And while I'm here why can't you bless me with a husband. I surely am lonely. And while you're at it, remember that I'll need some fame to get me places."
What many Christians fail to realize is that when God says to ask, MOST of the time He's saying much, much more. He wants us to YEARN for Him. ASK for His presence. Seek His face, His Kingdom. Knock on the door to the pearly gates for wisdom, virtue, love, grace, and faith.
And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on. 23The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. 24Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? 25And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? 26If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest? 27Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? 29And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Luke 12:22-32
In Luke we find the heart of it all. In verse 31 we read to Seek after God's Kingdom. THEN, in His great wisdom God will appoint all thing to us. Maybe not that new car. Maybe not more money - or fame. But certainly grace, faith, hope, love, virtue, wisdom.....and He will shape us through each of these gifts into lovely Christian men and women.
The prosperity Gospel is something that I believe is deceiving many sincere Christians. When life has a turn and trials block our way, God is still there. He has not forsaken us for our "sins" even if they are great. And through trials of life our characters will become like gold tried in the fire. Revelation 3:18
PURE.
When Gold is refined, purified, and made perfect it is put under extreme heat. Under extreme pressure. And much time.
When our characters are purified and refined, trials are usually what shape them into perfection.
Time, many tears, and many struggles make the noblest of characters.
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
So, maybe we should seriously consider - "Am I demanding of God for temporal happiness, things, and wealth?"
"Or am I begging Him for His love, grace, wisdom, virtue, peace, faith, and hope?"
Of course, God knows the innermost yearnings of the heart. He knows the beginning and the end. He is Alpha and Omega. He has also numbered every one of your hair strands. {Matthew 10:30}
So, in essence. He CARES for YOU!
He knows what you desire. He cares about your temporal needs, and cares for your emotional needs.
But He wants you to CARE about the deepest needs of your SOUL first!
Then - when you have placed everything in His hands and asked for, like Solomon, the things that will give true happiness - you may be sure He will provide what you need if that is what is best for you at that moment, during that time in your life, and at that point in your walk of faith.
Then, and only then, will you have true peace knowing that God is in control of your life. He wrote your life story before you were born, so I'd say if you leave it with Him, everything will work out for the best. Maybe not right now or in your vision. But in the grand scheme - eternally! - YES
So next time you find yourself missing the mark. Asking for on-demand-prayer-service. And temporal, me-centered things try asking yourself, "What does my SOUL need right now? What am I missing?"
Grant me love to take with me on my journey.
Grant me faith to carry on each day.
Grant me grace to see the little things.
