The Meaning of "Ask, Seek, Knock" in Matthew 7:7

Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7,
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

What is Jesus telling us to ask, seek, knock for? Our first thoughts might be towards any physical need or desire we want fulfilled. It is certainly not wrong to approach God with such requests when they are within His will, however Jesus is speaking of something of more necessity and value.

He teaches us in Matthew 6:31-33,

[31] So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Through His Word, God teaches us what we should be seeking in regard to seeking His kingdom and His righteousness.

We learn in Proverbs 2:3-6 that we should seek out wisdom, understanding and knowledge of God.

[3] Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. [4] Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. [5] Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. [6] For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

In order to seek this wisdom, understanding and knowledge of God, we must draw near to God. We must continually seek Him through prayer and reading His Word.

David tells us in Psalms 105:4, "Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him."

And God confirms that He will assuredly respond to our seeking Him. We read in Jeremiah 29:13,

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

When we seek God and His Kingdom, He promises to provide all that we need as we already read in in Matthew 7:7.

Psalms 34:10 tells us, "The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing."

And we read in Lamentations 3:25, "The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him."

Our God will never turn His back on us when we seek Him. David praises God for this faithfulness towards us in Psalms 9:10-11,

"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done."

So we must place our focus on seeking the Lord first... seeking wisdom and understanding from Him through prayer. Seeking knowledge of His ways and His truth through His Word. Seeking strength by spending time in His presence through prayer and reading His Word.

God is not far from any of us and He desires that we seek Him and reach out for Him because we are His children as we read in Acts 17:27-28.

And as His children, He will give us all we need to live a godly life. We read in Matthew 7:8-11,

[8] For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. [9] “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? [10] Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? [11] If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Our Heavenly Father loves us dearly and desires to give us all we need for a godly life as we read in 2 Peter 1:3. We only need to "ask, seek and knock" and it will be gladly provided.
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