A woodpecker has been entertaining us each morning this week. Not to worry, he doesn't start until the sun comes up. I admire the persistence of the beast, even as I hope for a change in the tune he plays. Do we remember that Jesus told us to keep on knocking and asking? Sure we do, but somehow I get the impression that my persistence will wear down God's will in some matter, and I'm purty sure that Jesus didn't mean that at all.
“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, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? 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 good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." (Matt 7:7-12)
Hmm, it could seem to read that way but that is only with my focus on me where of course it doesn't belong as a child of the King. The love of God is what I see in this passage and the persistence of effort in faith as we follow Christ. We come to God persistently to let Him know of our faith and trust, not to wear out the ears of the Almighty, as if that were possible. We take action first by giving to and treating others as we would like to receive and be treated. If I can at all make an impression on God with persistence in asking, seeking, and knocking, how much more then can I impress God with persistence in giving and doing good to others? Indeed in Mark 7:24-30 we can read of the Gentile woman persistently asking for her daughter, and in time Jesus took notice of her faith and worship (and persistence!), and cast out the demon.
Have a pleasantly, selflessly, persistent day in Christ!
Bucky
No comments:
Post a Comment