I don’t believe there is anything ‘wring’ with seeking the Giver for the Gift… in fact we are told to come, to seek:
“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]” [Hebrews 4:16].
This verse tells us we have the privilege to come and then it tells us how to come ‘ with confidence and without fear. Next it tells why – to receive mercy and find grace. That’s a great deal of information. But is this how we respond? Do we come knowing we are privileged and being informed of the how and why? It’s almost as if God is telling us that He has our answer and He know what we can do to receive what we need. Yes.
In Mathew 7:7-11, he tells us:
“Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will [instead] give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will [instead] give him a snake? If you then, evil (sinful by nature) as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him.”
Many of us tend to stop after verse 7. Don’t. One of the significant teachings happens in the next sentence – everyone who keeps on knocking, asking, seeking WILL receive. But I also believe that it is in verses 9-11, which ask rhetorical questions, that the point is made: “,,,how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good and advantageous to those who keep on asking Him.” It is our how we believe this and act on this that proves.
Philippians also talks about this:
“Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, take pleasure in Him]; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” [4:4-7]
Typically we start at verse 6… be anxious for nothing… but when you start with verse 4 we are immediately transported to the focus – rejoice in the Lord always! Next it tells us how we should be viewed by others, what our reputation should be: “Let your gentle spirit [your graciousness, unselfishness, mercy, tolerance, and patience] be known to all people.” Next it tells us that the Lord is near and then we get to our how “… in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue…” And how do we know… peace will be like a mantle over us. Sadly, this does not represent who and what I do… but I am working on it and maybe that’s the point.
Using only these 3 scriptures, we see that the Giver gives us all the information we need in order to be come to the Giver and receive. He already knows our needs, but wants us to come. Our focus needs to be on the Giver and we need to judge our own needs and wants according to how we are supposed to interact. Personally I believe that the Creator of the Universe wants to provide for us but that He is more interested in our relationship with Him. Do we seek time with Him, sans request? Do we work on developing a rich relationship with Him? Or do we only come asking for our wants and needs…
