Dear SCC & Friends,
… Knocking… ~Matthew 7:7
Reflection #196
Recent reflections have been about asking and seeking, and we’d be remiss to overlook the third part of the trifecta… knock and it shall be opened. All three, ask, seek and knock have a present tense dimension… Ask is continually asking, seek is continually seeking, and knock is continually knocking. Knocking is a physical action and spiritual metaphor that takes intentionality and persistence. Even when we ask and receive, seek and find, we may still need to go further for access. Knocking alerts us to the fact that someone wants entry and audience. I was in cold-call sales for many years and called on thousands of stores. Some kept their doors locked for security reasons, and I would often have to knock and keep on knocking to get their attention. Inevitably, I got a response… “Go away or come back later… Who are you? What do you want?” and occasionally “Come on in.” Perseverance pays off and is a great element of success… By perseverance, the snail reached the ark. ~Spurgeon~
You may recall the story of Peter when he was miraculously freed from prison and went straightaway to tell the brethren… And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a servant-girl named Rhoda came to answer. And when she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her joy she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter was standing in front of the gate. ~Acts 12:13 And they said to her, “You are out of your mind!” But she kept insisting that it was so. And they kept saying, “It is his angel.” But Peter continued knocking; and when they had opened the door, they saw him and were amazed. ~Acts 12:15-16 The Lord does not force Himself upon anyone but does describe Himself as one who knocks… Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me. ~Rev. 3:20It is a beautiful picture and promise of reciprocity… Our part is to hear and open the door. His part is to come to us that we might share life and life more abundantly… We were made for these days… Keep up the good work!
The King is coming,
Kevin