Ask, Seek, Knock
Matthew 7:7–11

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."
—Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

There’s something deeply comforting about this passage. It’s an invitation, but it’s also a promise. Jesus doesn’t tell us to ask and maybe something will happen. He says: ask, and it will be given. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened. These are not passive hopes—they’re active assurances.

But what exactly are we being promised here? At first glance, it might feel like a blank check for blessings. Ask, and God will give it to you. But the context of Jesus’ message is about relationship, not transactions. He’s inviting us to draw closer to God the way a child does to a good parent—with trust, vulnerability, and persistence.

Ask

Asking is the first step. It’s the acknowledgment that we don’t have all the answers, and that we can’t do life on our own. When we ask God, we’re surrendering our pride and admitting our need. And the beauty is, God doesn’t roll His eyes when we come to Him. He listens. Not because we’ve earned it, but because He loves us.

Seek

Seeking is more than asking—it’s pursuit. It’s taking a step toward God, toward wisdom, toward truth. Seeking means we’re searching not just for things, but for meaning, direction, and the heart of God. It’s in the seeking that our faith grows, because we learn to walk even when the answers aren’t immediate.

Knock

Knocking is persistence. It's what we do when we’re still waiting, still hoping, still pressing in. When we knock, we’re saying, “I believe there’s something on the other side of this door, and I trust You enough to keep standing here.” Jesus doesn’t promise the door will swing open instantly. But He does promise it will open.

A Good Father

Jesus closes this passage with a comparison. If earthly parents, flawed as we are, know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him? The point isn’t just that God gives—it’s that God gives what is good. That doesn’t always mean we get what we asked for. Sometimes the answer is different, delayed, or even “no.” But God’s gifts are always rooted in His perfect love and wisdom.

Final Thoughts

This passage isn’t about formulas—it’s about faith. Jesus is inviting us to trust the heart of God enough to ask boldly, seek diligently, and knock persistently. He’s not promising a pain-free life or instant answers, but He is promising His presence, His attention, and His goodness.

So keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking.

He’s listening. He’s near. And the door will open.