Acts 17:24-27 ). And we are assured that seeking the Lord will not be in vain (Isaiah 45:19 ), because God never forsakes those who seek Him (Psalm 9:10 ). It is comforting to know that seeking God is not a one-sided endeavor, for God looks for those who seek Him (Psalm 14:2 ;Psalm 53:2 ). Perhaps that is the reason why the Bible promises that if we seek God, we will find Him (1 Chronicles 28:9 ;2 Chronicles 15:2-4 ;2 Chronicles 15:15 ;Psalm 34:4 ;Proverbs 8:17 ;Jeremiah 29:12-14 ;Matthew 7:7-8 ;Luke 11:9-10 ).But how should we go about seeking God? The Bible gives us directions regarding our search for God. We must set our heart on seeking God (
2 Chronicles 11:16 ;2 Chronicles 30:18-20 ). In fact, seeking God must be our priority (Matthew 6:33) . To seek God, we must humble ourselves (2 Chronicles 7:14 ;2 Chronicles 33:12 ), call upon God (Jeremiah 29:12-14 ), pray (2 Chronicles 7:14 ;Jeremiah 29:12-14 ), and repent (2 Chronicles 7:14 ;Ezra 6:21 ;Psalm 119:57-60 ;Daniel 9:13 ).In order to seek God, we are to obey His commands (
2 Chronicles 14:4 ;2 Chronicles 17:4 ;Psalm 119:2 ;Psalm 119:10 ;Zephaniah 2:3 ). In fact, we must not delay in obeying God’s commands (Psalm 119:57-60 ).God’s Word instructs us to seek God’s face (
2 Chronicles 7:14 ;Psalm 27:8 ). We need to seek Him eagerly (2 Chronicles 15:15 ) and earnestly (Psalm 63:1 ). We should seek God always (1 Chronicles 16:11 ;Psalm 105:4 ) and with all our heart and soul (Deuteronomy 4:29 ;1 Chronicles 22:19 ;2 Chronicles 15:12 ;Psalm 119:10 ;Psalm 119:57-60 ;Jeremiah 29:12-14 ).Sometimes, though, these words don’t seem to have much meaning–they are only words. But not long ago I heard a wonderful illustration which “drove home” the point of what it means to seek eagerly and earnestly, with all one’s heart and soul. Picture yourself sitting down for a leisurely evening. You decide to watch some television, but you seem to have misplaced the remote control. After looking in all of the logical places, you still cannot locate it. But you are not too upset, for you suppose you will find it later, and you know you can also walk to the television to turn it on anyway. Plus, you also have the option to simply do something else enjoyable, such as read a book or work a puzzle. But now, picture yourself first thing in the morning. You are dressed and ready to go to work. But you cannot find your keys! Without those keys, you cannot lock your house (nor get back in even if you did), drive your car, or get into your office. You leave absolutely “no stone unturned” in seeking those keys. You must have them! Finding them is your all-consuming, top priority. This is the way we must seek the Lord.
The Bible also describe those who seek God. They have clean hands and pure hearts, do not lift up their souls to idols, and do not swear by what is false (
Psalm 24:4-6 ). They praise the Lord and rejoice (1 Chronicles 16:10 ;Psalm 22:26 ;Psalm 40:16 ;Psalm 70:4 ;Psalm 105:3 ), and they understand justice (Proverbs 28:5 ).Let us also heed the warning to seek God while He may be found (
Isaiah 55:6 ). Pride often prevents seeking God (Psalm 10:4 ). And God’s Word tells us that sometimes afflictions and distress are designed to lead us to seek Him (Exodus 32:11 ;1 Samuel 7:2 ;2 Samuel 21:1 ;2 Kings 13:4 ;2 Chronicles 15:4 ;2 Chronicles 33:12 ;Psalm 77:2 ;Psalm 78:33-34 ;Psalm 83:16 ;Jeremiah 50:4 ;Hosea 5:15 ). But even worse, if we fail to seek God, it results in evil, destructions, and spiritual death (2 Chronicles 12:14 ;2 Chronicles 15:13 ;2 Chronicles 16:12-13 ;Psalm 119:155 ;Romans 3:10-12 ).We can rejoice, though, that there is good in anyone who does seek God (
2 Chronicles 19:3 ). Seeking God does so many wonderful things for us–it delivers us from our fears (Psalm 34:4 ), it results in blessings and peace (2 Chronicles 14:7 ;2 Chronicles 15:15 ;2 Chronicles 26:5 ;2 Chronicles 31:21 ;Psalm 34:10 ;Psalm 119:2 ;Lamentations 3:25; Hebrews 11:6 ). Best of all, though, seeking God results in life (Psalm 69:32 ;Amos 5:4-6 ;Romans 2:7 ).Seek God and live forever!
Copyright © 1998 Kimberly B. Southall. All rights reserved.
