The Key to Receiving From God

As I was reading Matthew’s Gospel recently this verse stood out to me, “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!” (Matthew 7:11 NKJV). As the Christmas season approaches I’m sure you’ve recently thought about a gift you could get for your spouse, your best friend, your children, or even a neighbor. How did you know that was a gift the recipient would like? Most likely because they either specifically asked you for it and expressed it was something they would like.

God is the same way. He knows things that we would like, for example a better running car, wisdom at our jobs, or a more peaceful life, but if we never go to Him and ask then we are sadly missing out on His promises. Early in Matthew chapter 7 it says, “For everyone who asks receives..” (v.8 NKJV)

God is a loving, generous, liberal giver, so when we ask Him for anything that aligns with His word, He will give it to us. But the key is that we must ask. I once knew a man who said he never asked God for anything, he would only pray and thank God for whatever he already had.

While that may be nice, the Word clearly shows us that God wants to bless us, and that we need to ask for it! God already knows our desires and our needs, but when we come to Him and ask for something that shows our trust in Him and proves that we know not only can He fulfill our desires but that He wants to.

Remember though, there is always a waiting period. It may be an hour, two days, or 6 months. Having to wait for whatever you have prayed to God about does not mean He’s not answering you! Just like a child may ask their parents for a certain Christmas gift in September, even if the parents purchase it, the child still won’t receive it until the end of December.

This week, determine to ask God for one thing – a need, a desire, something for someone else – whatever it may be, put your trust in the fact that our heavenly Father wants to give good things to those who ask of Him.