Knock and Knock and Knock

We’re familiar with “knock, knock jokes.” “Knock, knock…” “Who’s there?” And then we insert whatever punch line to complete the joke; it’s usually pretty silly. Knocking: it seems to signify persistence. And, in this life game, persistence is necessary to obtain major goals and benchmarks. The challenge is to not give up. Simply stated, but not simply executed, huh? Scripture also addresses the knocking issue: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10 So, why aren’t we all a-knocking away? We’re finite, imperfect, flawed people…who get tired. And with that tired state, we often give up, in spite of the scripture telling us to do otherwise… “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 It comes down to a fun word: patience. “In your patience possess ye your souls.” Luke 21:19 I know- groan here. There is a method to the patience madness, however. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:” Romans 5:3-4 Yeah. Still more fun times ahead. “But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Romans 8:25 None of this patience thing feels great. It feels like discipline, which, let’s be real, feels like punishment. “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11 Yay. So much fun! Because, after all, we want what we want and we want it now, right? But patience still is required, like it or not. “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36 And here’s where scripture comes in. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4 No, we may not be in a celebratory mood about this entire thing. Nevertheless, there is a point to it. Again… “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” Hebrews 10:36 And that brings us back to Jesus. “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;” 1 Thessalonians 1:3 Remember Him? He had to go through it also.

So, we revisit the knocking thing… “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” Revelation 3:20

Patience has its reward. And we’re never more important than Jesus, especially when it comes to experiencing unpleasant things… "For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. "If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” John 13:15-17 Yet again, there is a promise for “hanging in there,” if we keep persisting… “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.” Romans 8:16-17 But that requires knocking…and knocking…and, sometimes, MORE knocking… It’s up to each of us to decide. So.. “Knock, knock…” “Who’s there?” Is it you and I? How CAN it be today? Copyright © 2013 by Sheryle Cruse