It is okay and expected to ask for deliverance. The LORD is here for me and I have to know that it is okay for me to ask Him for deliverance when I find myself in a tough spot. It is okay plead with Him.
“153Look on my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.”
— Psalm 119:153 (ESV)
Here we see that the psalmist finds himself in a position of hardship. He reminds the LORD of his devotion to His Law. He pleads for deliverance from the hardship. We see that the psalmist is open with the LORD and asks for something in return.
I know it looks like the ask is looking for some reciprocation for the devotion. I am not sure that is the case, but the as man, the thought that giving to and receiving back is part of it. I know that the LORD does not require anything of me to give to me, He loves me unconditionally. It is hard to fully understand on my part. And therefore I feel it necessary to remind Him of the devotion I have to Him so that He will not forget my need and provide for it.
“7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7 (ESV)
It is fully okay for us to ask, and as you can see in the above verse, Jesus even states that when you ask, you will receive. We have established our relationship with the LORD and as such we have the ability to seek from Him relief.
“11But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?…12Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people…14And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.” – Exodus 32:11-14 (ESV)
Moses reminded the LORD of His promise and pleaded with Him to relent, and the LORD let up on the impending destruction. We see that Moses asked and he received. The LORD heard the petition of man and provided.
In these cases the LORD responds and/or responded to the petitions of those who follow Him. As I have given myself to the LORD, He gives Himself to me. His giving is that of love, care, protection, comfort, and deliverance. Ask and you will receive. Seek deliverance and it shall be given.
What is your view of deliverance? Do you just expect it to happen? What if you understood that it is okay and expected that you ask for deliverance from your affliction from the LORD?