“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.”
Matthew 7:7-8
Matthew 7 [6.] “Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
Matthew 7 [7.] “Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. Or who is there among you, who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being 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! Therefore whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.
Meaning:
- Ask, and It Will Be Given You:
The opening phrase is a direct invitation to ask, with the promise that what is asked will be given. This is a powerful assurance that God is receptive to our requests. The simplicity of "ask" implies a direct and open communication with God, reflecting the relational nature of prayer.
- Seek, and You Will Find:
The call to seek goes beyond asking; it involves an active pursuit. Seeking implies a deliberate and continuous effort to discover or understand something. In the context of these verses, it suggests a journey of seeking God's will, wisdom, or presence. The promise is that those who seek will indeed find.
- Knock, and It Will Be Opened for You:
Knocking signifies an action that goes even further. It is a persistent and determined effort to access or enter into something. The imagery of a door being opened indicates divine responsiveness to our persistent seeking and knocking. God invites us to actively engage in the process, trusting in His willingness to open doors for us.
- For Everyone Who Asks Receives:
This statement emphasizes the universality of the promise. It is not limited to a select few but extends to everyone who engages in the act of asking. The inclusivity of this promise reflects God's impartiality and willingness to respond to the petitions of all who come to Him in prayer.
- He Who Seeks Finds:
The assurance that "he who seeks finds" reinforces the idea that genuine and persistent seeking results in a meaningful encounter with God. It is a promise of discovery, understanding, and a deepening relationship with the Divine.
- To Him Who Knocks It Will Be Opened:
The closing statement reaffirms the responsive nature of God. Those who persistently knock on the door of God's presence, guidance, or provision will experience the doors being opened. It suggests divine receptivity to our earnest and persistent efforts.
Significance:
Active Participation in Prayer: Matthew 7:7-8 encourages believers to actively engage in the process of prayer. It's not a passive request but an invitation to participate, seek, and persistently knock on the doors of heaven.
Persistence and Assurance: The repetition of asking, seeking, and knocking underscores the importance of persistence in prayer. It assures believers that God responds to continuous, earnest seeking with open doors and answered requests.
Relational Aspect of Prayer: The use of verbs like "ask," "seek," and "knock" emphasizes the relational aspect of prayer. It's a dynamic interaction with a God who invites us to actively participate in the unfolding of His purposes.
Cross References:
Jeremiah 29:13: "You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart." This Old Testament verse resonates with the theme of seeking God with sincerity and the promise of finding Him.
James 4:2: "You don’t have, because you don’t ask." James echoes the idea that asking is a fundamental aspect of receiving, emphasizing the importance of petitioning God in prayer.
In Conclusion: Matthew 7:7-8 stands as an enduring call to active and persistent prayer. It invites us to engage in a dynamic relationship with God through asking, seeking, and knocking, with the assurance that God responds to those who earnestly and persistently seek Him.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible