“…knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For…to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.” – Matthew 7:7 – 8, AMP

A few years ago, I traveled upcountry on the invitation of friend.

I first visited another person before heading to the brother’s place where I was supposed to spend the night.

It was around 10pm when I reached the gate.

I tried to call his phone but there was no response.

I knocked on the gate a number of times. Still no response.

After a few minutes, I went away wondering why I was not welcome in the home of someone who had invited me in the first place.

Later, after I had checked into the lodging place to rest after a long journey, I received a call from him, apologizing.

He hadn’t heard the phone calls or the knocks on the gate as he was in the middle of their family altar at the time.

Apparently, I had gone away too soon!

In our meditation today, our Lord Jesus teaches the importance of keeping around and not going away too soon.

Epimeno, the Greek term used in this context, is also used in Acts 12:12-16 in reference to Peter’s knocking at the gate at Mary’s home following his miraculous escape from prison.

At first, the maid came to the door and recognized his voice but didn’t open it, not because she didn’t want but simply because of being “overjoyed.”

Just imagine! It’s like your dream girl saying ‘No’ to your marriage proposal simply because she’s a little overwhelmed by the occasion!

Our persistence in knocking basically sends the clear message that says; Lord if you don’t act, there is no other option for me!

When the maid mentioned to the people inside that Peter was the one knocking at the gate, they labelled her as being “out of her mind.”

Verse 16 says; “But Peter continued knocking: and when they [finally] opened the door, and [when they] saw him, they were astonished.”

Our English word, ‘percussion’ – used for certain musical instruments such as drums – is related to the Greek word used for ‘knocking’ or ’striking.’

The idea is that you must keep on ‘striking’ the drum to maintain the beat, tempo and rhythm of the music.

Knocking it once is not music; it’s just noise.

In this context, our Lord used the idea of ‘keeping on knocking’ to illustrate importunity, insistence and persistence in dealing with God.

The imagery of the ‘door being opened to the one who persists at knocking’ conveyed the promise that God would respond to their prayers, regardless of how long it takes.

This was intended to give us hope and confidence as we persist, rather than portraying it as a negative practice.

Jesus wanted to change His listeners’ perspective on prayer, shifting from a merely passive ritual to an active and engaged approach.

As Leadership Guru John Maxwell aptly says, the key to persistence is passion and the key to passion is purpose.

We usually quit or give up because we lack of a good dose of passion and purpose.

I mean when you’re absolutely sure that entering that door would change your life forever, you will knock it – or even strike it or break it down – until you go in!

Are you passionate enough about what you really care about or you’re simply giving it a try it and then go for Plan B, C and D?

In the Bible, Hannah’s persistent knocking on the door changed the course of her life and impacted an entire nation, if not generations, through the birth of Prophet Samuel.

Jesus’s teaching emphasizes the importance of persistence and faith in seeking God’s Providence.

Persistence is not about forcing God to act but rather about being an act of faith and humility, acknowledging our complete dependence on God.

Our persistence in knocking basically sends the clear message that says; Lord if you don’t act, there is no other option for me!