Ask, Seek, Knock

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you” (Luke 11:9).  Some of Richard Sibbes’ thoughts on this great promise are really good: “If we pray, this is always sure: ‘If we ask, we shall receive.’  The Lord has said it; it is so, it must be so.  Consider how God has been faithful in past times.  If once he has heard you in mercy, he will hear you always.  Fathers on earth care for their children, how much more pity, love, and mercy may we expect from our heavenly Father?  Our great God has planted this affection in earthly parents as a type and picture of his own great love.”  Whatever our condition, we will find Him exceedingly merciful.  Whatever we might wonder about such a promise, we cannot doubt the love behind it.  It was good to read Sibbes’ straightforward assertion: “The Lord has said it; it is so, it must be so.”