“AND IT WILL”

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

Matthew 7:7

No one has to teach children to ask for what they want. They are naturals: “Mommy, can I have that? Daddy, I want this. Can I have it?”

Our heavenly Father invites and expects us to do the same. “Ask,” He says, “and you will receive.”

Of course we sometimes wish that we could pray and—zap!—God would answer our prayers. But three little words separate the asking and the receiving: “and it will.” Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given.” In my Bible those three words take up about half a centimeter, but I know from experience that the “and it wills” of life can sometimes take years. Asking is easy and receiving is fun, but in between the asking and the receiving there is always an “and it will” of unspecified length.

I think the Lord gives us these “and it will” times so we don’t get so caught up with the receiving that we ignore the One who is giving. Waiting is an opportunity to become more dependent upon and intimate with the loving God who is responding to our request. So embrace your “and it will,” and never forget the love of the Giver.

Gracious, generous God, show me how to be more focused on You, the Giver, than on the good gifts You give.