All You Gotta Do is Ask

A young Israelite girl, taken captive by Syrians, served in the household of a military commander, Naaman, afflicted with leprosy. Despite her plight, she showed compassion and faith. Realizing Naaman's ailment, she mentioned the prophet in Samaria who could heal him. This simple suggestion led Naaman to seek help, albeit reluctantly.

Naaman expected grandeur when he sought the prophet, but the prophet didn't meet him personally. Instead, Naaman received a simple instruction through a messenger: wash seven times in the Jordan River.

Offended and furious, Naaman initially rejected the idea, considering it beneath him. However, persuaded by his servants, he humbled himself and followed the prophet's instructions.

Miraculously, after dipping seven times, Naaman's leprosy vanished. He returned, grateful, acknowledging the God of Israel as the true God.

In early October of this year, I wrote about Naaman. I referenced that story again this morning in the hope that it leads you to action; (whatever action is needed.)

But first, have you heard of a monkey trap?

A monkey finds a jar that holds a treat or something the monkey wishes to obtain. He reaches his hand inside the jar, grabs the object, and then attempts to remove his hand. He cannot. Why? Because the opening is only big enough for an empty, open, hand. The monkey could escape by letting go of the object, but instead clings to it tightly…caught in the trap.

That was me! I was once a drug abuser, but God, in His tender mercy, freed me from that snare of addiction. I am a new creature because of His interference in my life. I was that monkey caught with my hand in the jar, refusing to let go. UNTIL I came to a more clear understanding of the power of the Holy Spirit.

“…Be direct. Ask for what you need. This is not a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your little boy asks for a serving of fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? If your little girl asks for an egg, do you trick her with a spider? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing—you’re at least decent to your own children. And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?” Luke 11:10-13 The Message Bible

The last sentence one more time:

“And don’t you think the Father who conceived you in love will give the Holy Spirit when you ask him?”

When I realized, truly read, and understood for the first time in my adult life, I knelt by my bed, and I asked God for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

But there is more!

Still on my knees and assuming with great faith that I had been given the gift of which I asked, I then beseeched the Holy Spirit to free me from my addictions.

Now, this is the part of the story I used to be hesitant to share, because what if it is not the same for you? But I believe, I am praying, that it will be the same.

In that moment, my prayer was answered. Instantly. And looking back I can only confirm that the Holy Spirit took away 40 years of cravings and struggles, and it happened “just like that.”

May I boldly suggest you do the same?

James 4:10 tells us “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord”

I don’t know about you, but there is nothing more humbling to me, than kneeling in the privacy of my bedroom and talking to our Heavenly Abba, but I strongly encourage you to do that. Close your door and get down on your knees.

I am not talking about praying in the shower. Praying before your meal. Praying as you drive down the road. I’m talking, humbling yourself in your private space on your knees in reverence to our Almighty God.

"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:6 ESV

Ok, why did I bring up Naaman? Because of this reason right here:

“And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 2 Kings 5:13 ESV

I think we as humans expect something bigger. There must be more we must do. But what if, what if, your struggle could be over simply by asking a loving Father for a much needed Gift.

So, what is your struggle? Drugs? Alcohol? Food? Porn? Tobacco? Shopping? TV? Bad attitude? Depression? Anger? Gambling? There is almost no end to the things people can become addicted to. We soothe ourselves and reward ourselves in very destructive ways. The Holy Spirit can break that cycle.

The Bible tells us that God WILL GIVE the gift of the Holy Spirit to those who ask. Have you asked? Have you? He longs to give us that good gift, but we must ask. It is as simple as asking. It is as simple as dunking seven times in a dirty river.

Ask for the gift of the Holy Spirit! Ask for the Holy Spirit and then ask the Holy Spirit for the help you so desperately need and want. All you have to do, is ask.

by Jeanette Stark – Friday, December 1, 2023