Trusting in Love Enough to Ask

Sounds easy, no?

Jesus continues to invite us into a faith-posture of trust: ask, seek, knock. He speaks not in vague possibilities, but in confident promises—those who ask receive, those who seek find, and to those who knock, the door will be opened. (Oh, for such confidence in result of faith!)

But right in the middle of this encouraging word, Jesus calls us…evil.

That can sound a bit jarring—especially after such tender language. But it’s not an insult. It’s an honest, even pastoral, observation about the human condition. We are imperfect. Even at our best, our motives are often mixed, and our understanding limited. And yet—even in our flawed state, we know how to care for those we love. We give good gifts to our children. We know how to feed and protect and celebrate them.

So how much more will God give good things to those who ask?

Jesus isn’t trying to shame us. He’s drawing a contrast. He’s saying: if you—with all your limitations—know how to love, then how much more can you trust God’s love?

The implication is clear: God can be trusted.

And that trust flows right into the “Golden Rule,” which rounds out this section. Treat others the way you want to be treated. It’s one of the most familiar teachings in all of scripture—but here, it’s rooted in the character of a trustworthy God. God is generous and good to us. So be generous and good to others.

It’s not because we’re perfect. It’s because God’s love, accepted and within us, is itself perfecting.

Matthew 7:7-12

Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened. Who among you will give your children a stone when they ask for bread? Or give them a snake when they ask for fish? If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you; this is the Law and the Prophets.

Psalm 103:8-13

The Lord is compassionate and merciful, very patient, and full of faithful love. God won’t always play the judge; he won’t be angry forever. He doesn’t deal with us according to our sin or repay us according to our wrongdoing, because as high as heaven is above the earth, that’s how large God’s faithful love is for those who honor him. As far as east is from west—that’s how far God has removed our sin from us. Like a parent feels compassion for their children—that’s how the Lord feels compassion for those who honor him.

Prayer

God,

You invite me to ask, to seek, to knock—not as one who is reluctant to answer,
but as a loving parent eager to give good gifts.

Still, I confess: I often hesitate to trust. I forget your generosity. I project my own limits onto you. Or a bit more simply, I assume that anything I would ask for isn’t within your will. Help me in my unbelief.

Remind me again today that you are good. That your door is open. That your love is better than mine and better than I can yet imagine.

Shape my life by your grace, so that I might give to others what I have received from you: kindness, generosity, understanding, and peace.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.