Satisfying a Need

Matthew 7:7-8

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;

and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

It’s that time of year again. It is summer, and that means some of the harshest running conditions of the year. It seems like this time of year, there is no escape from the heat and humidity. If you try to run before dawn, it is still close to 80 degrees and the highest humidity of the day blankets the air through which you run. If you try to run after dark, the air is still hot and dry from the day’s heat. Even at 10:00 or 11:00 at night, the temperature is still well over 90 degrees.

During this time of year, we sweat more than ever while running. The rate of perspiration can literally be measured in lost pounds during a single run. We need to hydrate before, during, and after our workouts and races.

Wouldn’t it be devastating to our health if, after sweating off pounds of water weight, we tried to get by without the water we needed? Or what if we sensed a need for hydration, but tried to conjure up a cure within ourselves? What if we just tried really hard to make water exist without actually going to a source of water?

I know these questions sound ridiculous, but when I think about it, sometimes I do such ridiculous things when I have a spiritual need and do not go to The Source who can supply that need for me. I sometimes find myself struggling with a sin or an unbelief, and I try to find a cure on my own. Sometimes I need a spiritual blessing – peace, patience, self-control – and I try to find these things within myself instead of going to God and asking for them.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7 to ask and we shall receive. The promise is bold and straightforward. The message is clear with no strings attached. But underlying the statement are several key points: God is powerful and can give all that we need. God is loving and generous and seeks to supply what we lack. And God knows we cannot conjure up what we need within ourselves – it is only through His power that we receive what we lack.

During a race, gracious volunteers stand at several points on the course with cups of water to assist the runners. We go to these volunteers and take what we need. We don’t try to find it within ourselves. Let’s go to God now, and let’s go often, to ask for the things that we need to do His will and glorify Him.

Father, thank You for lovingly and generously giving us the things we need. Please help us to remember to come to You and no one else to satisfy us. Help us to trust that You are able and willing to abundantly supply all we need. In Jesus’ name we pray…AMEN