SEEK...KNOCK!

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

Luke 11:9

So you've come to The Lord in prayer "asking" and "believing" that you will receive; but so far you haven't received the answer you were looking for.  What's the problem?  Maybe you're not asking... seeking... knocking with the right mind; heart or motive!

A few questions:  Are you asking selfishly?  Are you asking with your whole heart?  Are you coming out of need?  Are you seeking because you haven't found on your own?  Have you given your very best?  Are you knocking at the right door?  

 ^"Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up".

James 4:7-10

James says there are some conditions that need to be met if you haven't received results to your asking, seeking and knocking.

A few more questions:  Are you asking for what Jesus would ask for?  Are you seeking because you don't know the way, or you don't like your situation?  Are you coming to God's door with a purified heart and clean hands; broken and afflicted from striving to make things work?  Is there any self-pity or pride in your life?  Are you desiring to satisfy your heart...or God's?

On a personal note, I have experienced asking, seeking and knocking and left discouraged and broken-hearted because God didn't seem to be listening or caring!  God has something much greater at heart than just answering our requests, He wants to give us His Best - that which is perfectly designed to fit my created purpose.  So, He let's us exhaust ourselves until we are ready to desire and receive Him!

This is my prayer today: 

O Lord, I have experienced the knocking of an afflicted life and received cleansing.  I've experienced the knocking of an afflicted faith of self-righteousness and received revelation.  I've experienced the seeking and knocking of an afflicted spirit and received a new life and insight.  Recently I have heard You knocking for me to open the door and invite You to dine and fellowship with me. I have received sweet communion and the delightful life of abiding in Your Presence free of all affliction.  I desire nothing more.