Today’s reading is Luke 11:1-12:59.

I’m a little late getting to today’s reading. I was up late last night working on a project. Therefore, I slept until the very last minute to get my kids ready this morning. Then I headed in to the office. On the way, I made a phone call and ended up talking about some really deep stuff for a long while. I finally got to the reading and one section completely knocked my socks off. 

I know why it hit me and to be honest, I’m slightly ashamed to share with you why. But, I’m learning to violate the three rules I grew up with–1) Don’t feel, 2) Don’t trust, 3) Don’t talk. So, I’ll put it out there. 

My faith in God has never been stronger. My understanding of how God works and how He can work with me, however, is a bit shaky right now. Add to that my increasing frustration with the visible church and its seeming inability to help people really struggling with sin meet God in a practically helpful way. All this together produces a lot of questions I’m trying to answer. Of course, I want all the answers yesterday.

My phone conversation this morning was about those questions. By the time we were done, though I was thankful to have aired some of my questions to an understanding ear, I had still more questions than answers. Frustrated, I turned to today’s reading.

There was Luke 11:9-13.

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. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!

I admit it. I have more questions than answers in a lot of areas of faith. I haven’t put this site up because I think everyone should listen to my answers about scripture. Rather, I’ve put it up because I need the continued daily reading and study to get answers. My faith is not complete and perfect. I’m like the man in Mark 9:24 who cries out, “I believe, help my unbelief.”

For all of that, at the end of my phone call there was a small part of me that felt like I would never have the answers I needed. A small part of me began to think why bother trying, just give up. Then God gave me these verses. Providence? Perhaps.

If I ask, God will give it to me. If I seek, God will put it where I can find it. If I knock, God will open the door. Additionally, God is a good God who loves me. He’ll give me the good gifts I need. I can trust Him to do that.

Now, don’t misunderstand. I don’t get to just sit on my duff and wait for God to drop it all in my lap. I actually have to ask, seek and knock. However, if I pursue the answers instead of giving up, God will give me what I need. He’ll do it on His timetable, but He will do it.

We serve a great God. 

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What did you get out of today’s reading?