KEEP ON ASKING

Importunity.  It’s a real word.  I didn’t know it until our recent vacation.

About a month ago my family and I went on a mini vacay.  We were not originally planning on taking a trip at all because our daughter had gotten married earlier this year, so this was a bonus trip.  Although it was a beautiful place in the physical sense, there was so much, I’ll call it “disturbance,” in the atmosphere that one of our kids even suggested checking out early.  I say this to let you know just how special this word was I received from the Lord and so that you’ll know that in the middle of your chaos you can find gold too.

The resort was situated on a lake. We had a lake view from our condo and the balcony was nice and inviting.  That’s where Jesus and I met in the morning while it was still quiet, albeit hot.  On the last morning there was someone throwing bread into the water below and I got to watch different sized turtles and large catfish come below surface to feast.  This brought me such delight.

The Bible says in James 4:8 to “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” And God kept his end of the bargain.  Tears, praises and fresh promises from the Lord were released as I engaged my Father Who had shown up on that balcony.

This was one of them.  I’m sharing with you because I believe it is an invitation to the church as a whole in this hour. To keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking.  It is the Father’s desire to answer.

Two days into our vacation I saw the number 335 in the spirit.  So while I was on that balcony, I looked it up in Strong’s Concordance.

Strong’s Number: g335

Greek: anaidia (or anaideia)

Importunity:

denotes “shamelessness, importunity” (a, negative, n, euphonic, and aidos, “shame, modesty”), and is used in the Lord’s illustration concerning the need of earnestness and perseverance in prayer, Luk 11:8. If shameless persistence can obtain a boon from a neighbor, then certainly earnest prayer will receive our Father’s answer.

Do you remember the story? Jesus tells of a man that had unexpected guests come to his house at night. He didn’t have the provision of bread for them, so he goes knocking and knocking and knocking on his friend’s door in the middle of the night. Bold. And the Bible denotes “Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity (G335) he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.” Luke 11:8 KJV

Suddenly the promise of the passage comes to light.

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Luke 11:9-10

The Amplified Classic Version says it like this –

“I tell you, although he will not get up and supply him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his shameless persistence and insistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened.” Luke 11:8-11

Importunity. Shameless persistence and insistence. Urgently, or even annoyingly making repeated requests or demands until an answer is granted.

If Jesus said it, then we must believe.

This is the invitation from our Father.  God is not offended by your asking.  In fact, it is encouraged.  In fact, it is encouraged that we keep on asking.  And it is encouraged that we keep on seeking.  And it is encouraged that we keep on knocking.  It will not go unanswered.

If you think about it, even as earthly parents we don’t always think our kids really want something until they’ve asked us a few times. Perhaps God is waiting to see if we really want something?  Do we really want His heart for people? Do we really want eyes to see and ears to hear? Do we really want His kingdom to come and His will to be done? Do we really want…? You fill in the blank.

So, what’s the promise? How are you gonna respond to the invitation for importunity? Will you keep on asking? Will you keep on seeking? Will you keep on knocking?

What’s the thing on your heart you’ve almost given up asking for?

Because here’s the rest of the passage –

“What father among you, if his son asks for a loaf of bread, will give him a stone; or if he asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good gifts [gifts that are to their advantage] to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask and continue to ask Him!”

Luke 11:12-13 AMPC

Ahhhhh.   The “how much more” is what I desire.  And I believe you do too. 

Thank you, Father, for your Holy Spirit.  We desire to ask, seek, knock in faith, believing that you will answer and provide.  Thank you, Jesus.  We respond today to the invitation of importunity.  What a delight to have a Father who loves us so perfectly.  Thank you!! We give you glory.

Okay, beautiful ones.  It’s time.  Deep breath.  Oh, renew our faith, Father, to believe again and be shamelessly persistent in the asking.

Be blessed and keep on!