You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13 ESV)
The word seek is bâqash in the Hebrew and means to search out (by any method, specifically in worship or prayer). I’d like to share a secret with you, God isn’t hiding from you. The Creator of the universe created humanity in His image, to have a relationship with Him, and to enjoy the love and community He has Himself experienced throughout eternity in the Triune Godhead (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). With that said, God has revealed Himself to us in several important ways: through creation (see Psalm 19:1 and Romans 1:19-20), through the life and ministry of Jesus, and the Scriptures (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17), and within the conscience and hearts of men.
As a follower of Jesus, there have been times in my life where He has felt far away. Because Jesus doesn’t change (Hebrews 13:8), in those seasons where God seems far away, I find it is always me who has moved, not God. In those times where God feels distant, what should be our response? Seek Him.
As followers of Jesus, we have access to the very throne room of God. At any moment in our day, as His sons and daughters, we can boldly come before the throne of God to find mercy and grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Knowing that when we seek God, we will find Him, and that we have access to boldly come before Him, why is it that sometimes we just don’t do that? I want to share just a few of the many reasons: shame, distraction, anxiety, fear, pride, and stubbornness.
Because this devotion series has been about four key elements: humility, prayer, seeking His face, and turning from wickedness, this is a good time to incorporate all four as we talk about intentionally seeking God.
First, let us consider humility. Remember the things I said that might prevent us from seeking God included pride and stubbornness. Sometimes in my own life, I’ve convinced myself that I’m far enough along in my faith to do life (or parts of it) on my own. So instead of seeking God (His grace, wisdom, discernment, strength, etc.) I convince myself I can do it on my own. They say hindsight is 2020 and in hindsight, it turns out that I am not nearly as mature or developed as I’d like to pretend. I would challenge you and I to remember a truth today: Christian maturity doesn’t mean less dependence on God, it leads to a greater admission of our need for Him and leads to greater, intentional dependence.
Second, let’s talk about prayer. The Scripture reminds us to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Although this doesn’t mean that we are literally praying every minute of every day, this does mean we practice an attitude of prayer. One of the key ways we seek God is through prayer. As we make a practice of intentionally praying throughout our day, we are seeking God. Because we are seeking God, we will find Him and all the gracious gifts He gives. Here is a hard truth: the problem isn’t that you pray too much.
Next, seeking His face isn’t about literally trying to envision the face of God. Seeking His face is really about seeking His will and living in submission to Him. If we honestly, intentionally, and consistently “seek the face of God”, He is going to make His will known to us. One of the greatest ways God reveals Himself to us is through the Scripture. It is in the pages of Scripture that we come to know the heart, character, and nature of God. When we seek His face in prayer and Bible study, God begins to reveal His will in our lives. When He reveals Himself and calls you to follow, will you pick up your cross and go after Him?
Lastly, turning from our wickedness. This is a big one, so don’t rush past the next few sentences. Sin cannot change our status as saints. When we place our faith and trust in Jesus as Lord, we are saved (Romans 10:9). However, sin does interfere with us seeking and experiencing fellowship with God. What should you do if you have sin in your life? Repent and confess. Repentance is a change of heart that leads to a change of direction. Confession is admitting your sin to God and asking for forgiveness. When we repent and confess, the Scripture promises that God is faithful and just to forgive us from our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Time to do some serious self-reflection. Are you seeking God? If you are seeking Him and He seems far away, who has moved? It’s time for you to seriously consider what’s next. I challenge you to spend a few moments praying and meditating over this today. Respond how God leads and remember that He isn’t hiding from you.
Father, please forgive me for not always intentionally, persistently seeking You or Your will. Jesus, thank You that I can know God in an intimate way. Thank You for the closeness that I have experienced because of the great love You had for me. I pray today that You would draw me closer. Holy Spirit, please speak into my life. Help me recognize when there is sin that needs to be confessed and repented of. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
