“Here’s what I’m saying: Ask and you’ll get; Seek and you’ll find; Knock and the door will open.”
(Luke 11:9 MSG)
For years I read the above promise and claimed it during prayer, as if it was some sort of magic formula (no wonder my prayers didn’t reach further than the ceiling!). I would present my need before God and then pray, “Lord, you promised that if I ask, I’ll get; if I seek, I’ll find; if I knock the door will open.” But it wasn’t long before God showed me what I really needed to ask for. Just a few verses later, this is what Jesus had to say:
Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him? (vv.10-13)
The Holy Spirit. He is all we need. When we ask God to give us His Spirit, we can expect to get; when we seek, we’ll find; and when we knock, the door will open.
God gives us what we need, not what we want.
Rising with the Son 