Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – December 3, 2019
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 the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
In 2005, I moved to Colorado as a single. While living there, I loved hiking and talking with the Lord. Nature was often my prayer closet—and the Rocky Mountains felt like home. So, when I sensed God was leading me to move away in 2011, it was difficult to go.
After my departure, both as a single and then later as a married woman, I often asked the Lord to allow me to return to Colorado. (My husband had lived there too and also loved it.)
At first, my prayers were filled with grief. I felt as if I was clutching onto a long, lost love and it hurt to think I wouldn’t ever get to go back.
Over the years, my prayers turned into the “open-hand” kind where, instead of crying and aching, I said, “Lord, this is really what I want, but I only want it if it’s your will.” My husband and I were both surrendered to what the Lord wanted to do.
Finally, after seven years of off-and-on prayer, God answered and he planted my husband and I in the beautiful Colorado mountains. The way He answered was sudden and unexpected—and it has brought my heart joy to be back where it feels like home.
My prayer journey reminds me of John 16:24 in which Jesus says to His disciples, “Until now, you have not asked anything in my name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete.”
I have to admit that I have either heard or read this verse before and dismissed it out of unbelief. Certainly, God doesn’t want us to see Him like a magic genie we use to fulfill all of our wishes—but He does want us to ask.
What if we would ask more instead of believing that Christ doesn’t really care about our prayers? What if we would dare to believe that perhaps God has placed some desires in our hearts and He wants us to ask to receive them? What if we chose to believe John 16:24?
The Lord wants us to ask so He can give us great joy when He gives the answer, which is what I have received in coming back to Colorado. It’s not just that we returned; it’s that God saw me. He heard me and He loves me. And there is no greater joy than that!
How faithful and kind He is!
Is it time for you to ask?
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. (1 John 5:14-15)
Prayer
Lord, how I praise you for the goodness that you have shown to me by not allowing me to live forever in sin. You will deliver me. And when it’s my time, I will gladly receive the gift of death and come home to you. Amen.
Application
Praise the Lord today for His gift of eternal life and share what you learned today with someone you love.
Related Reading
Proverbs 10:28; Matthew 6:9; John 15:11
Post/Tweet today
God finds great joy in giving us joy by answering our prayers. #WisdomHunters #truth #Jesus
Worship Resource
5 minute music video- Christy Nockels:
Donate
If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision.
Download our app!
