 "The Saviour never passed by
one soul, however sunken in sin, who was willing to receive the precious truths of heaven.
To publicans and harlots His words were the beginning of a new life. Mary Magdalene, out
of whom He cast seven devils, was the last at the Saviour's tomb and the first whom He
greeted in the morning of His resurrection. It was Saul of Tarsus, one of the most
determined enemies of the gospel, who became Paul the devoted minister of Christ. Beneath an appearance of hatred and contempt, even beneath crime
and degradation, may be hidden a soul that the grace of Christ will rescue to shine as a
jewel in the Redeemer's crown.
‘Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you.’ Matthew 7:7 To leave no chance for unbelief, misunderstanding, or
misinterpretation of His words, the Lord repeats the thrice-given promise. He longs to
have those who would seek after God believe in Him who is able to do all things. Therefore
He adds, ‘For everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him
that knocketh it shall be opened.' The Lord specifies no conditions except that you
hunger for His mercy, desire His counsel, and long for His love.
‘Ask.’ The asking, makes it
manifest that you realize your necessity; and if you ask in faith you will receive. The
Lord has pledged His word, and it cannot fail. If you come with true contrition you need
not feel that you are presumptuous in asking for what the Lord has promised. When you ask
for the blessings you need, that you may perfect a character after Christ's likeness, the
Lord assures you that you are asking according to a promise that will be verified. That
you feel and know you are a sinner is sufficient ground for asking for His mercy and
compassion. The condition upon which you may come to God is not that you shall be holy,
but that you desire Him to cleanse you from all sin and purify you from all iniquity. The
argument that we may plead now and ever is our great need, our utterly helpless state,
that makes Him and His redeeming power a necessity.
‘Seek.’ Desire not merely His
blessing, but Himself. ‘Acquaint now thyself with Him, and be at peace.’ Job
22:21. Seek, and you shall find. God is seeking you, and the very desire you feel to come
to Him is but the drawing of His Spirit. Yield to that drawing. Christ is pleading the
cause of the tempted, the erring, and the faithless. He is seeking to lift them into
companionship with Himself. ‘If thou seek Him, He will be found of thee.’ 1
Chronicles 28:9.
‘Knock.’ We come to God by special
invitation, and He waits to welcome us to His audience chamber. The first disciples who
followed Jesus were not satisfied with a hurried conversation with Him by the way; they
said, ‘Rabbi, . . . where dwellest Thou?. They came and saw where He dwelt, and
abode with Him that day.’ John 1:38, 39. So we may be admitted into closest intimacy
and communion with God. ‘He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall
abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’ Psalm 91:1. Let those who desire the
blessing of God knock and wait at the door of mercy with firm assurance, saying, For You,
O Lord, have said, ‘Everyone that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and
to him that knocketh it shall be opened.’’Thoughts From the Mount of
Blessing, pp. 129-131
The staff at HopeNet prays that these thoughts
have brought encouragement to you, that you have been inspired to seek after the true
source of all Hope, the Lord Jesus Christ. We would appreciate hearing from you - comments |
