Asker-sensitive

March 5, 2007

By Randy Mantik

“You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2, NIV).

Recently, another advertisement came in the mail from our local telephone company. Instead of pitching it immediately in the recycling basket as I usually do, I decided to take a closer look at it. It was an offer for Internet service, which we already have with them. However, just to see what would happen, I decided to call and ask about their most recent offer.

When I asked the polite consultant on the other end of the line whether I could have the offer, she said, “No, that’s only for new customers.” However, before ending the call, she brought up my account to see how much I was paying for our internet service. Then she said, “Since you’ve called in asking for a better deal, I can offer you our new lower rate.”

“Really,” I said, “would I have gotten that automatically?”

“No”, she replied, “you have to call in to get our better rates; in fact, it’s good to call every few months, just to double check.”

Ah-ha! The things you find out when you call your friendly telephone company representative! I would not have had the better rate if I had not asked.

How true that is of our God. Scripture speaks of the “riches of God,” but many times blessings come only as we ask. These riches include blessings for our whole life: love, joy, health, peace, and His promise to supply all of our needs.

Recently I was thinking about an area of my life where I have not seen God answer. As I considered that, I sensed God saying to me, “Just ask.” So I did. And, of all things, I think He’s answering! What wonderful riches!

I also recall an area of my life where I was really struggling a number of years ago. After one more bout of my sinfulness, I came across a book called The Power of Crying Out. I decided to take God at His Word and do just that. When I did, He answered in what was to me an amazing deliverance. Riches untold!

The Children of Israel struggled under the horrible oppression of Pharaoh. It was tough! Read what happens in Exodus 2:23-25.

“During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them.”

See the process: Pain. Discomfort. Then a cry to God. God sees. In His mercy, He remembers. He is concerned.

Be sure to get the point here. This “asking” I’m talking about is not of the “now I lay me down to sleep” variety. It is something offered with passion and desperation! Like Jacob who wrestled with God, we must say, “I will not let You go until You bless me.”

God loves being chased after in such a way. Is it any wonder Jesus says, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it” (Matthew 11:12 NIV)?

Seeker-sensitive? That’s us, seeking the heart of God, ever sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit. Asker-sensitive? That’s our precious and merciful Heavenly Father, whose ear is always attuned to our cry, who is always ready to meet the needs of His children if we will but ask.

Randy Mantik is senior pastor of Crossroads Church of the Assemblies of God in Pembine, Wis.