It’s important to know who to ask when you are trying to get an answer. It requires asking the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you as you seek it so that He can answer and help lead and guide you wherever you are headed. As for knocking, my prayer has been and continues to be asking God to bolt shut any doors I shouldn’t go through and to open the right door so wide I can’t miss it. This week I adjusted the email notifications to be daily instead of weekly to have a more near real-time view of the opportunities. As we head up and over, towards or into Humpday, my first step is towards God and seeking wisdom and discernment through His Word.
Trusting in God’s Wisdom
The Bible teaches us to trust God’s wisdom as we ask, seek, and knock. James 1:5 says,
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
This verse assures us that God is ready and willing to provide wisdom generously. Our role is to approach Him in faith, believing He will answer our requests.
Key Takeaway:
God promises to give us wisdom if we ask Him sincerely and trust His ability to provide.
Practical Application:
Begin each day with prayer, asking God for wisdom in your decisions. Keep a journal to record how God answers your prayers, reflecting on His faithfulness and guidance.
Seeking God’s Will
Seeking involves actively pursuing God’s will and His ways. In Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs us,
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
When we prioritize seeking God’s kingdom, He promises to achieve our needs. This shifts our focus from worrying about our circumstances to trusting in God’s provision.
Key Takeaway:
Prioritizing God’s kingdom and righteousness ensures that our needs will be met by Him.
Practical Application:
Set aside time daily to read the Bible and pray, focusing on understanding God’s will. Use resources like devotionals or Bible study groups to deepen your knowledge and application of His Word.
Knocking with Persistence
Knocking implies persistence in prayer and faith. Jesus teaches in Luke 11:9-10,
“And I tell you, 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.”
We should persistently pray, trusting that God will open the right doors at the right time.
Key Takeaway:
Persistence in prayer is crucial, and God rewards those who diligently seek Him.
Practical Application:
Develop a consistent prayer routine, setting aside specific times throughout your day to pray. Create a prayer list to help you stay focused and to remind you to be persistent in your requests.
Discernment through Persistent Faith
In conclusion, figuring out whether to ask, seek, or knock requires a deep trust in God’s wisdom, a commitment to seek His kingdom, and persistence in prayer. Asking God for wisdom, prioritizing His will, and being persistent in knocking, ensures that we align ourselves with His perfect plan. Proverbs 3:5-6 encapsulates this beautifully:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Trusting in God’s wisdom, seeking His will, and persistently knocking in prayer lead to a life guided by His perfect plan, ensuring we do not miss the doors He opens for us.
Persistently seek, inquire, and persevere. Know that God remains steadfast and will guide you toward the right path. Your task is to maintain unwavering faith, trust in His timing, and stay devoted to His Word.
Today’s Reading:
My Notes:
It’s remarkable how God allows me to choose a reading plan at the beginning of each year and then tailor the morning readings to where I am. I know God’s Word is active and alive. His Word never returns void. He can speak right into the core of any situation through His Word as it is sharper than a double-edged sword. So don’t limit yourself to what my notes say; instead, allow His Word to speak into your situation and help you right where you are today. Check out the links above and read or have it read to you so you can hear directly from God’s Word.
1 Samuel 4
Trusting in God Despite Defeat
The Israelites face a devastating defeat against the Philistines and lose the Ark of the Covenant. The elders asked,
"Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines?" (1 Samuel 4:3).
Instead of seeking God’s guidance, they presumed that bringing the Ark would ensure victory. This chapter illustrates the importance of seeking God’s direction rather than relying on our assumptions.
Key Takeaway:
Seeking God’s guidance and wisdom is crucial, especially in difficult situations.
Practical Application:
When facing challenges, seek God’s wisdom through prayer and Scripture. In job searching, trust that God will guide you to the right opportunities. Prepare by updating your resume, improving your skills, and staying prayerful about each application and interview.
- The Philistines Capture the Ark
- Death of Eli
1 Samuel 5
Seeking Repentance and God’s Favor
1 Samuel 5 recounts the capture of the Ark by the Philistines and the subsequent afflictions they suffer. Realizing their mistake, they sought to return the Ark. This chapter emphasizes the importance of repentance and aligning oneself with God’s will when things go wrong.
Key Takeaway:
Repentance and realignment with God’s will bring restoration.
Practical Application:
If you feel you’ve strayed from God’s path, repent and seek His forgiveness. In job searching, if you face rejections or setbacks, ask God to reveal any lessons or redirections. Stay open to His guidance and trust His timing.
- The Ark in Ashdod and Ekron
1 Samuel 6
Knocking on God’s Door for Restoration
The Philistines return the Ark to Israel with offerings, acknowledging God’s power. The Israelites rejoiced, seeing God’s favor restored. This chapter shows that persistence in seeking God’s favor and obeying His instructions leads to restoration.
Key Takeaway:
Persistently seeking God and acknowledging His sovereignty leads to restoration and blessing.
Practical Application:
Keep knocking on God’s door with persistent prayer. In job searching, continue applying and interviewing while trusting God to open the right door. Stay encouraged, knowing that God’s timing and plans are perfect, and He will lead you to the right opportunity.
- The Ark Returned to Israel
Discernment through Persistent Faith
In conclusion, discerning whether to ask, seek, or knock requires a deep trust in God’s wisdom, a commitment to seek His kingdom, and persistence in prayer. Asking God for wisdom, prioritizing His will, and being persistent in knocking, ensures that we align ourselves with His perfect plan. Proverbs 3:5-6 encapsulates this beautifully:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Trusting in God’s wisdom, seeking His will, and persistently knocking in prayer lead to a life guided by His perfect plan, ensuring we do not miss the doors He opens for us.
Persistently seek, inquire, and persevere. Know that God remains steadfast and will guide you toward the right path. Your task is to maintain unwavering faith, trust in His timing, and stay devoted to His Word.
As lean in and wait upon God, His strength is strengthening me. As I acknowlede Him and trust in Him, He is aligning the path I need to take. So today I will not fear or worry for the hand of God is at work, preparing in advance the good works He has for me to complete.
Today is a day that thanks to Jesus is filled with inspiration. So let us make sure we receive the gift of grace through Jesus by faith in Him and step up and out to accomplish all the good works He has prepared in advance for us to accomplish. If you haven’t received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, why not choose today to be the day your life is transformed and you become a new creation and start the journey of becoming everything God created, purposed, and planned for you to be?
Let’s pray:
God's story through my life from 2005 to eternity... 