Mat 7:11 (NIV) If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!

The next requirement He sets before us is the issue of faith. If we who are evil know how to give good gifts, what is our opinion of God? This Scripture is demanding a decision on our part. What do we think about God? Let’s say we ask Him for something and He refuses to give it to us. Suppose we consistently prayed (ask, seek, and knock) and finally He makes it clear to us that He isn’t going to do it. Why is He refusing to give it to us?

The issue we are dealing with is the matter of what is “good.” Jesus is making it clear that, if it is good, we WILL get it from our heavenly Father. So, if the answer is “no,” what does that mean? It means it isn’t good. If we still want it, after He has said a clear “no,” what is wrong with our heart? We are exhibiting a lack of true faith in our heavenly Father. If we really trust, believe, and depend on His love and wisdom, we will accept His decision. Now let’s consider a long, drawn out asking, seeking, and knocking and we still haven’t heard any clear answer.

We are free to keep asking, seeking, and knocking. But, we are not free to find some other way of getting it. Why? Because God hasn’t given us permission to do so. The issue becomes a matter of faith in God and only in God. The delay may be a real challenge to our faith and commitment to God. We may find ourselves struggling with the delay. Here is where this Scripture is needed.

Gal 6:9 (NIV) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

We know God will always give us those things that are good for us. We also know that the things that will eventually be good for us may not be good for us right now. God’s timing is perfect. So, the challenge is to not get tired of doing good. What happens when we get tired of doing good? We do something stupid. We have all made that move at one time or other. If we use the above Scripture, it will empower us to hang in there until God’s answer comes. The answer may be so huge that it boggles our mind. It might be an answer that doesn’t just bless us; it might turn out to be a dynamic blessing to many around us. Here is how it works.