Why You Aren't Annoying

Jesus presented a story in which you play the part of someone who is annoying. You have a guest who needs a place to stay for the night, but you don’t have enough food. Your guest is hungry, but you have a friend who might be willing to help out (Luke 11:5-8).

Pushing the limits of friendship, you go knock on his door at midnight. Just like most people, this friend of yours is not keen on climbing out of bed, disturbing his family, and helping you with your problem. He doesn’t even bother to come to door.

However, because you are annoying, you keep knocking until he finally opens the door and gives you some bread.

Jesus presented this scenario in which a sleepy friend reluctantly and with much hesitation helps you out. His point was that God is nothing like this sleepy friend. This is a story built on contrast.

God is not your sleepy friend. He is your Father. If your bleary buddy is willing to come through for you, just imagine (in contrast) how eager God is willing to “give good gifts.”

We often pray as a last resort. “All we can do now is pray.” Even when we do pray, it is usually a token gesture with the attitude of a longshot. We have about as much expectation with our prayers as we do with the lottery.

God longs to bless us. He will often say no to our prayers only to provide a bigger yes.

When you knock on the door at midnight—when it is dark and when you need bread and when morning seems very far away—you need to remember that on the other side of that door is your loving Father. He is not tucked away for the night. He is not annoyed at your persistence. He is eagerly waiting for your voice because He has amazing things to give to you.

- Bret