Command 17 : Ask, Seek, and Knock | Day 116

Seek and Find!

It would be hard to estimate the number of Christians who pray for a needed item, and after a time of waiting, conclude that God did not give it to them. This conclusion is not always the case since the Scripture states, “For everyone that asketh receiveth” (Matthew 7:8).

The problem may not be God's failure to give, but it may be our failure to seek and find what He gave: “He that seeketh findeth." The sequence of giving, seeking, and finding is illustrated in the world of nature. God states that He feeds the fowls of the air and the beasts of the field. (See Matthew 6:26.) However, He does not spread out their food each day, but rather provides it in such a way that they must seek it out.

It would require a huge room in heaven to contain all the unclaimed gifts that God has given in answer to prayers.

Years ago, our Printing Department expressed an urgent need for a five-color Heidelberg press. We asked God for it and believed that He had given it to us. Then I sent them out to look for it. They informed me that the kind of press we were looking for cost approximately $600,000. I explained that we did not have that much money, and therefore, they must keep looking for the press that God had provided for us.

Later, they returned with great excitement. They had found a better Heidelberg press, and after negotiations and trading in one of our old presses, it would cost only $300,000! We all felt a peace that this was God's provision but asked Him to confirm it. The day before we were to make our final decision, we received an unexpected gift of $300,000! When visitors take tours at Headquarters, we are privileged to explain this supernatural provision. Leaders from other nations have literally praised God because of this provision, even though some of them had previously stated that they did not believe in God.

Seeking God requires initiative and diligence on our part.

A young couple in Illinois asked God for a home that they could buy without going into debt. By exercising thriftiness and resourcefulness, they were able to save $10,000 each year toward the purchase of their home. After five years, a distant relative heard about their commitment to purchase a home debt-free and sent them a totally unexpected gift of $35,000!

With $85,000 they went out "just to look" and found their "dream house." However, it was priced at $125,000. They told the owners that this was exactly what they were looking for and they hoped that it would be back on the market in four years when they had enough money to buy it. The owners were so impressed with this couple and their commitment to not go into debt that they sold them the house for $85,000!

Let's realize that God delights to demonstrate His love and power to those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him and who seek and find the gifts He gives.