Charles Stanley (February-08-2025) Daily Devotional: Seek Bravely; Knock Boldly.
Those who actively pursue God are never disappointed.
Matthew 7:7-14 - ``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 everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets. ``Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. ``For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Yesterday, we looked at what it means to ask something of God and what we gain by doing so. But we are also told to do two additional things in our pursuit of God: “seek” and “knock.”
All three of the commands come with rock-solid promises: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Matt. 7:7, emphasis added). Notice the Lord doesn’t say “maybe it will be given,” “perhaps you will find,” or “hopefully it’ll be opened.” He wants us to know that those who seek after Him will never be disappointed. The journey—however long or challenging it might be—will always be worth it.
But what kind of door does Jesus have in mind? It is Himself. In John 10:9 Jesus says, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” Jesus is the door through which we find abundant, eternal life. When we knock, we trust that there is always more goodness in store for those who are in Christ. And when we walk through this open door, it is through faith in Christ on the path of salvation that He alone provides.
When you ask, ask for more of Jesus. When you seek, seek the path of Jesus. And when you knock, knock boldly in the certainty that Jesus will open Himself to you and welcome you home.
