ASK, SEEK, KNOCK ON THE DOOR

ASK, and it will be given to you; SEEK, and you will find; KNOCK, and it will be opened to you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened – Mathew 7:7

Matthew 7:7 carries a three-dimensioned instruction to ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK. Interestingly, the first letters of ask, seek, and knock spell “A.S.K.” The Lord gave these instructions in the context of prayer. Hence, there is a mysterious efficacy to persistent prayer, the prayer that asks, seeks, and knocks (Jer.29:11-13; Lk.18:1-5).

 To ASK: implies to crave, require, desire, or demand something that is due one based on family or redemptive rights. It is to humbly request assistance for a conscious need.
 To SEEK: implies adding action to asking, such as when someone expresses a need, but also gets up to seek help.
 To KNOCK: includes asking, plus seeking, plus persevering. Knocking implies earnestness, persistence and tenacity in the pursuit of purpose and destiny!

You must ask with confidence and humility, seek with care and understanding; and knock with importunity and perseverance.

All over the scriptures, we are encouraged to ask and seek:
 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ASK WHAT YE WILL, and it shall be done unto you (John 15:7).
 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ASK IN PRAYER, believing, ye shall receive (Matthew 21:22).
 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that SEEK the LORD shall not want any good thing (Psalm 34:10).

Let’s ponder more deeply on the aspect of knocking. First, you knock on a door, not necessarily because it is locked or even shut against you. Knocking may simply be out of courtesy or respect. That the door is closed does not mean it is shut or locked against you. You must learn to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). That a door appears closed should not discourage you from moving forward in faith. In another sense, knocking is an expression of PRESSING. Paul, the apostle declared: I PRESS toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Finally, we knock when we are desperate for an answer, desperate to be heard; when we have come to our wits end, and need Heaven’s intervention! The woman with the issue of blood, out of her desperate faith, pressed into divine POWER and obtained her miracle (Mark 5:25-34).

God’s Will is to grant His children ACCESS not only into the fullness of His blessings, but also of His Purpose, Power and Presence. Access implies the existence of a doorway, an entry, or “open doors”, which speak of divine invitation and opportunities.

In Christ, we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:1).

Asking, seeking and knocking are however not merely formulas for getting what we want FROM God; they’re approaches to get more OF God. As we fellowship with God in prayer and listen to Him speak to us through His Word, we receive more of His Purpose, Power, and Presence – in fuller, newer, and more exciting ways. In the realm of knocking, we discover that God is our portion and our exceedingly great Reward. His Purpose, Power and Presence become the real essence of our pressing!

Knock! The Lord is waiting to open the doors of destiny for you. Other human offers of doors may lead to misery and pain, but with God your aspirations and expectations will never be disappointed.