Morning Devotional 051826 Ask! Search! Knock!

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

May 18, 2026

Matthew 7:7-12

7 “Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened. 9 Who among you will give your children a stone when they ask for bread? 10 Or give them a snake when they ask for fish? 11 If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. 12 Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you; this is the Law and the Prophets. 

Good Morning! Seek first the kingdom of God.

Imagine losing your glasses or a favorite piece of jewelry. What do you do when you realize they’re missing? You search! Obviously, if we didn’t search for the missing item it would never be found. 

If someone comes along and you complain that you’ve lost something, it is likely they would ask, “Where have you looked?” If you answer, “Nowhere!” I’m guessing they would be unlikely to take up the search. 

On the other hand, if you are actively searching when someone comes by, they are likely to join you in the search. Truly, if you do not seek what you are looking for, you will not find it.

What is it that we spiritually seek? Common answers include love, peace, hope, and joy.

Seeking these things is a little different than a tangible item we can easily identify. I believe that our spiritual needs are found in God. But like those tangible items, we must seek God in order to find those feelings for which we long. 

For those who seek, God is everywhere. It is easy to say you want peace, but many simply express a desire without actively engaging in seeking. For those who seek God, God will reveal a world of blessings, including the love, peace, joy, and hope that can seem elusive in a weary, broken, chaotic world.

God of Love, you bless us abundantly! Thank you for waiting patiently for us to join together with you. Thank you for loving us. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: God awaits all who are seeking.

Ask! Search! Knock!  Pastor Liz