Jan. 10th - Ask

Have you ever been afraid to ask? "Mom, can I spend the night at Johnnys house?" "Dad, can I borrow the car?" "Boss, can I have the day off?" "Honey, can I go fishing with the guys?"
What's the obvious root of these apprehensions? Well more than likely it's fear of hearing an unfavorable response. Someone once said, "It's always better to ask forgiveness than ask permission". I've used this "bit of advice" before and I can't officially recommend it. I've learned that asking is normally the best option.
With that in mind, why are we afraid to ask God things? Are we afraid of an unfavorable response? Why would that be? Is it because we know our motives in asking are somewhat self serving? We do need right motives in our asking. James teaches us that but let's not throw the baby out with the bath water. There certainly is a strong Biblical precedent for asking.

1 Chronicles 4:10 - "...Oh that you would bless me indeed...So God granted him what he requested."
Psalm 1:8 - "Ask of Me and I will give you the nations for your inheritance..."
Matthew 7: 7-11b - "Ask, and it will be given to you...how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him."
James 4:2 - "...you do not have because you do not ask."

I could go on but I think you may be getting the idea. God wants us to ask. We teach this to our children. It's respectful to ask. It's better to ask. It's beneficial to ask. You certainly don't want to get caught with your proverbial "hand in the cookie jar" do you? So what are you afraid of? What will it hurt to ask? Someone told me that most of the time you'll hear one of three responses. Yes...No...Wait...
I have one more. You may not hear anything. What happens when God is silent? It only means He isn't ready to answer you yet. That means you have a biblical requirement to keep on asking. In fact, the greek phrasing in Matt. 7:7 is "Ask and keep on asking".

For what it's worth, I've never been chastised by God for asking.

See you in the morning,
Sam

Suggested Reading:
Proverbs 10
Matthew 7

Quote of the Day:
"A sucessful man is the one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him." - David Brinkley