Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
January 24, 2024
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! All good gifts come from heaven above!
As a child, I remember a painting in the sanctuary of my home church. It was the famous painting of Jesus standing outside a door with no doorknob or handle. The only way to enter the building was to knock; if someone answered the door, you could go in. The original painting from the 1850s showed Jesus holding a lantern and standing before a door overgrown with weeds.
This painting illustrates many lessons. Jesus is the light waiting to show us the way. You must invite Jesus to enter your heart, home, and being. No matter how long it has been, Jesus is still waiting to come in.
The overarching theme of the painting is that Jesus will not enter until we open the door. Whether it has been a few days, weeks, years, or a lifetime since we opened the door, Jesus is waiting and ready to come in.
John tells us that living a life without Jesus is living in darkness. Jesus brings the light to us so we can make our way home. God promises to provide us with abundant blessings. The prophet Jeremiah proclaims, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
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.
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Thank you for waiting for us to seek the light. Sometimes, we choose to sit in darkness, but we secretly long for the light. Keep knocking until we answer the door. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Open the door and invite Christ into your heart!
God’s gift is waiting for you to open! Pastor Liz