Seek and ye shall find me
– August 4, 2011Posted in: Bible Study, biblical exposition, Headline, prayer, scripture application, series, shofarsound
Psalm 24:6, 2 Chronicles 7:14
The prolific 18th century Christian author and preacher Charles Spurgeon wrote:
[...]“true seekers are very dear in God’s esteem, and are entered upon his register. Even seeking has a sanctifying influence; what a consecrating power must lie in finding and enjoying the Lord’s face and favour! To desire communion with God is a purifying thing. Oh to hunger and thirst more and more after a clear vision of the face of God; this will lead us to purge ourselves from all filthiness, and to walk with heavenly circumspection.”
Seeking God, his face and the kingdom of God is a welcome and open invitation to all who truly desire to know God.
To seek the face of God is to seek His presence. The word “face” is a Hebrew idiom that means, “The presence of God.” Seeking God is not some unfruitful pipe dream, for Jesus himself said, “you shall find”. Psalms 24:6 states, “This is the generation that seek him, that seek Thy face oh Jacob. Selah.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 encourages and commands, “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.”
Its important to know that when the Bible tells us to seek God, his “presence” or his “face”, its an idiomatic enjoining. According to The American Heritage Dictionary, an idiom is “…a speech form of expression of a language that is peculiar to itself grammatically that cannot be understood from the individuals’ meaning and its elements.” In lay terms, an idiom is a simple word that is used to describe something much more than it actually is. In this case, when we seek the “face” of God, we seek His presence. Because God does not have a face as you and I, the idiom in this case is to seek His awesome and omnipotent presence. In his presence is fullness of joy and at his right hand are pleasures evermore.
Examples of seeking in the Word
Seeking God has been a noble, rewarding pursuit since the very beginning when men began to “call upon the name of the Lord” in Genesis 4.
Jacob had seen the God’s face at Peniel, for he was in the presence of the Lord where he wrestled with a man all night. It eventually caused a stunning transformation in Jacob’s life in that he went from a trickster to a Prince of God (Genesis 32:24-30; Psalm 4:6). His name was changed from Jacob to Isreal. Coming into the presence of God you will never be the same, because His Divine Presence brings transformation and holiness.
- We obtain favor, and have joy when they come into the face of God (Job 33:26).
- We are delivered and restored when the Face of God shines on us (Psalm 31:16, Psalm 80:19).
Getting close to God anoints you for special works and revelation. The scripture records that Moses spoke to God face to face, as friend speaks to another friend. Moses received revelation of the Torah for the nation of Israel and was known as the most prominent prophet of Israel secondly only Jesus Christ. When Moses left the presence of the Lord, his countenance glowed with the glory when came back down the mountain to the people, he had to place a veil to cover his (Exodus 33:11; Exodus 34:34)
I want to encourage each and every one of you that are facing hard times. And lets be honest, we know people are losing their homes, jobs, incomes, savings, sense of security and in some cases their lives. Saints and sinners alike. We don’t really know if “things will get better” but we do know that God is the same today, yesterday and even forevermore. What we do know is that everything we need to make it through is in the presence of God. And what we do know is that all things work together for the good of them that love God and are the called according to his purpose.
Do you need the Lord’s presence to guide and direct you through the valley of decision? If so, take time this week to seek His presence and not his hand. By that I mean, honestly get to know him. Whether through prayer, fasting, worship or his word look for him and earnestly desire connection with him. If you have sin in your life, confess it to him and repent for it so that your iniquities will not separate you from him. He promised that when we do this in humility and turn from our sinful ways, we will see His glory manifested in our lives.
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