Ask Your Good Father

Today’s Passage: Matthew 7:7-12

Jesus is still teaching on the mountain. He has just told the crowd to bring their needs to God. Now He tells them how to come: keep asking. Then He shows them why they can. The One they are asking is a good Father who loves to give.

As you read, hold this: Keep asking your good Father, and treat others the way you long to be treated.

Matthew 7:7-8 (BSB)

⁷ Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Three words, and none of them is quiet. Ask (αἰτέω) aiteō, pronounced eye-TEH-oh. Strong's G154, to ask, request, ask for something needed. This word means asking for something you need, the way a child asks a parent. It is not a proud demand. The Greek points to asking again and again, so Jesus wants you to keep bringing Him your needs. . Seek. Knock. Each one leans forward. Jesus is not saying try once and give up. He is saying keep coming, and keep coming, and keep coming.

And look at the promise. Everyone who asks receives. He does not say only the strong ones. He does not say only the good ones. He says everyone. The door opens for the one who keeps knocking.

Matthew 7:9-10 (BSB)

⁹ Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?

Now Jesus paints a picture from any kitchen. A child asks for bread. What father drops a stone in his hands instead? A child asks for a fish. What father hands him a snake? No one does that. Even a tired, ordinary parent gives real food to a hungry child.

Matthew 7:11 (BSB)

¹¹ So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Here is the heart of it. Even people who get things wrong still know how to love their kids. So how much more will God? He is not a stingy God we have to beg. He is a Father who is better than the best father you know. When you ask Him, you are asking Someone who delights to give good things.

Matthew 7:12 (BSB)

¹² In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Watch the little word “then.” Jesus turns from receiving to giving. Because your Father pours good things into your hands, you can open your hands to others. You know how you long to be treated. Treat people that way first. Do not wait for them to go first.

This one sentence sums up a whole shelf of God’s commands. Do to others what you wish they would do to you. It flows straight out of the verse before it. A child who is loved by a generous Father can afford to be generous too.

Personal Application

1. What have you stopped asking God for, because you were not sure He is good?

2. Where could you treat someone this week the very way you wish they would treat you?

Decision of the day: Ask your Father today for one real need, out loud. Then do one kind thing for someone else, the kind of thing you would love done for you.

Pray to Close

The central truth: Keep asking your good Father, and treat others the way you long to be treated.

Praise: praise God that He is a Father who loves to give good gifts.

Ask: bring Him one need you have been carrying alone, and keep asking.

Yield: give up the habit of waiting for others to be kind first.