From Christ's Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 7:7-11
"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 he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? 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 what is good to those who ask Him!"
In Matthew 7:7-11, Jesus exhorts His children to seek out God with faith and anticipation. In context, this encouragement fits within the rest of Christ's Sermon on the Mount and can be linked back to Matthew 6:33 when He states, “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousnness, and all these things will be added to you." Our Father meets our needs as we continue to seek Him and grow in faith.
Concisely, in verse 7, Christ declares, "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 he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened." Ultimately, the Lord's statements are predicated on God’s will and what God knows is best for us. In many life situations, our perceived notions of what we desire are not what we truly need from a spiritual and sanctification standpoint. God is good beyond measure to His children, and He will withhold items that may cause us injury or pull us away from Him. The Lord is faithful and He responds to our prayers with unfathomable wisdom and purpose.
Hence, Yahweh is not a genie who gives us all that our hearts desire, for man’s heart cannot be trusted (Jeremiah 17:9). Only the Father of lights can see past the temporal world and into eternity, and He gives us Kingdom desires. When our hearts are aligned with His will and purpose (Psalm 37:4), we will delight in our walk with Him. The Lord gives so that we will grow in Christlikeness; the Creator knows what we need physically and spiritually.
In verse 11, Jesus acknowledges the depraved state of humans as he contrasts the gifts of fallen men to their children and what the Father gives. God provides knowledge through His word that benefits us here and for eternity. He also graces us with His presence. As we pray, we are able to go to the Lord confidently (Hebrews 4:14-16), knowing His love for us is immeasurable.
Finally, the Apostle James reminds us of God's goodness. In James 1:17a, he states, “Every good thing and every perfect gift is from above.” Everything the Lord gives us is complete and beneficial. May we rest in the understanding of how much God loves His children.
Psalm 34:8
O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
Psalm 37:4
Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Matthew 14:28-31
Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
Hebrews 4:14-16
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
James 1:17-18
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.