We should ask, seek, and knock, and then wait for God to answer with the anointing and strength. They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. (Isaiah 40:31) Impatience and the desire for advancement breed presumption – the notion that we can figure out the best path from our own hearts and minds. We might even put on quite a show with props, just as the false prophet Zedekiah did in this example:

Dressed in their royal robes, the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat king of Judah were sitting on their thrones at the threshing floor by the entrance of the gate of Samaria, with all the prophets prophesying before them. Now Zedekiah son of Kenaanah had made iron horns and he declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you will gore the Arameans until they are destroyed.’” (1 Kings 22:10-11)

If we ask, seek, and knock, Jesus will make our horn to bud. He will provide a lamp for us to carry his anointing. But the answer is often not immediately apparent to us. Just as the answer for Daniel was delayed 21 days (Daniel 10), we may also experience delay in seeing and hearing the answer. They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength.

    

Querido Padre Celestial,

I confess I often am tempted to substitute my own ideas and answers and strength for Your answers and strength. O Father, put a guard over my mouth so that I do not speak presumptuously or depend on my own strength rather than Your Holy Spirit. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Remaining watchful in prayer until the answer comes is not like the impatient nagging of a small child hoping to get what they want. Asking, seeking, and knocking can be done with peace and patience because Jesus invited us, even instructed us, to do it. (Matthew 7:7-12)