Luke 11:5-13 English Standard Version (ESV)
5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
What is faith if it isn’t teamed with trust and persistence? Nothing more than wishful thinking.
Jesus illustrated this truth by telling a parable about a man who wouldn’t go away until his neighbor had given him what he needed. The point is clear: God wants us to be persistent in presenting our needs to him. When he doesn’t give us our request right away, it’s not because he is too busy or doesn’t care about us. Often, he lets us wait because he knows that persistence pays off, not only in truly appreciating what we receive but in building us up in holiness and faith. As Paul wrote, “Affliction produces endurance, and endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint.”
It’s easy to become discouraged when we don’t receive an answer right away. But Jesus urges us to keep knocking; he promises that he will open the door.
When God delays in giving us answers, it may be because he wants to teach us to reverence him. He is good, holy, and righteous. He is worthy of our trust and obedience, regardless of the path that our lives take. God wants our foundation to be his presence in our hearts, not the ups and downs of daily living. If we focus our attention on who God is and on his unfailing love, even as we are waiting for his answer, we will experience his power in our lives – sometimes in very surprising ways. Like the persistent friend whose neighbor finally gave him the bread that he had asked for, we will receive the blessings and provisions we need for every situation.
It’s through our faithfulness and persistence that God can shape us and make us more and more like his Son. As we wait on him, we learn to trust him, even when there seems to be no hope. And in trusting him, we grow in faith, confident that our Father will care for us. Just as Jesus promised, we will see that our Father will not give us a snake when we ask for a fish or a scorpion when we ask for an egg. No, he will give us all good gifts according to his wisdom and love.
Additional Reading: Malachi 3:13-20
wau
Andy
livingwaters67 
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