8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

Luke 11:8 NKJV

This verse used to confuse me.  I wasn’t sure where it fit into God’s plan.  I knew that there are different dispensations and with those dispensations come different ways of operating with God.  

(God stays the same, but our ability to have access to Him because of our sin changed after Jesus.)

There was a time not so long ago (about 2,000 years ago) when we couldn’t simply come to God and ask Him for things and know that He heard us.  But I’m sad to say, many people still operate in this belief that God doesn’t hear us or listen to us everytime we pray. 

Frankly, nothing could be further from the truth!  Today, I want to break down this scripture verse and see how we as Christians fit into this verse today. 

God isn’t withholding blessings from you or me.

In talking to God about this verse, I heard so clearly in my spirit, I am not withholding from you blessings of any kind. Remember Jesus is saying these things to people who didn’t yet have access to God.  God was far away because sin separated us from Him.  

The Midnight Hour

Remember how I briefly discussed dispensations?  We won’t get too deep into this, but when Jesus refers to midnight in His parable He is talking about the time just before He went to the cross!  It’s the time period when Jesus hadn’t yet paid the price for us to be part of the family. 

So when Jesus says, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend He is saying your persistence will get you an answer even if your blood relationship won’t!

Jesus made us a way into the FAMILY talked about in Luke 11:8

Ok so we’re back to the question of the day, Does Luke 11:8 apply today?  

To answer this question, we need to find out who we are now in Christ! Jesus tells us in John 14:14 that His name is for us.  When we ask for something, we can now be certain that we will receive it.  Why? Because we are no longer on the outside looking in, but we are on the inside looking out!

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

John 15:15 KJV

And then in John 14:14…

14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

John 14:14 KJV

The name of Jesus has been given to us.  It is our authority to operate in the earth and our assurity that we are heard by God.  

You see? Children don’t have to be concerned about their requests.  When you were a small child you didn’t know anything about not receiving something.  All you knew was let me ask for this and I will receive it.  

Then you know we grow up and get more mature and forget the simplicity of that statement, but God longs for us to trust Him in that simple of a way.  

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Romans 8:14 KJV

Because we are Christians, God leads and guides us.  God’s calling us to think and act like little children – completely trusting and obeying Him. (and abiding in the house with Him behind the door – Psalm 91)

The name of Jesus and our position in Christ assures us that we are heard the first time when we come to God asking in faith – childlike faith – that simply trusts God to meet our needs. 

For more information on the work of Jesus check out Peace that’s not like the world’s | Salvation from Brokenness.