Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Matthew 7:7-8 NIV
We’ve all seen the famous painting of Jesus knocking on the door, but if you look at it closely, you’ll notice there is no door knob on the outside. The implication is that God knocks, then waits patiently for you to invite Him into your life. It’s not that He doesn’t have the right to come in without an invitation, after all, He is our Creator; but God gives us the freedom to choose to love Him, or to reject Him. We are free to choose, but we are not free from the consequences of our choice.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:24-27 NIV
God, in His mercy, has given us every opportunity to live in relationship with Him. He is the strong foundation on which we should build our lives. Yet, He allows us to ignore His words and do our own thing, clearly warning us of the foolishness of such a decision and the disaster that will follow.
So how have you decided to live your life? Are you listening to the words of God and seeking Him with all your heart? He’s not hiding, in fact He promises you will find forgiveness and new life in Him, when you seek Him with all your heart.
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in lovingkindness to all who call upon You. Psalm 86:5 NASB
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NIV
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” Psalm 50-15 NASB