JEREMIAH 29:11–13 – For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
THEME OF THE DAY. HAVING A SEEKING HEART FOR GOD. Today’s scripture contains the greatest invitation ever given to a human being; the greatest experience ever known by a human being; and the greatest pursuit ever undertaken by a human being. There is no human relationship, no human achievement, or any earthly pleasure that is more satisfying than what God offers us in the prophet Jeremiah’s words. We are offered the invitation, the experience, and the pursuit of knowing God. Yes, knowing God, experiencing God, getting close to God, and fulfilling the reasons why we were created and re-created in Christ Jesus in what the Bible says is “new birth” (John 3:3).
As amazing the grace of God is to extend such an invitation and experience, there is a catch, a condition. God is telling us, “If you want to know Me, really know and experience Me in life-altering and heart-satisfying ways, then it will cost you. I will not give Myself over to anyone who won’t seek Me with all your heart.” Yes, this condition is placed before us if we want God. We must be “all in” in our seeking Him, but what would that look like in the life of a child of God? I asked myself that very question and came up with four personal applications. They are not “copyrighted” so feel free to make them your own!
First, pray to have a seeking heart for God. Not just a seeking heart, but a whole-heart seeking of God which means no divided loyalties. Here is the starting point. We need a united heart because our remaining sin and selfishness will allow for a divided heart. David prayed, “Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name” (Psalm 86:11). He did so because he knew the power of his flesh to create a divided heart. To have a seeking heart demands an undivided heart and only the power of God may do this work of unity.
Then, realize what God is offering us. Don’t gloss over this. Don’t take it for granted. God is telling us that we can know Him. Oh, friends, don’t let the familiarity of this truth cheapen the privilege of this truth. Jesus said, “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Christian, never take it for granted what God has called you to—a personal and life-altering experience of knowing Him. Never become so familiar with the Bible that you quote scriptures without a sense of privilege, awe, and amazement of what you are holding—the Word of God to know the God of the Word. Perhaps the greatest danger Christians face is familiarity with the things of God that removes the awe factor in our hearts.
A third practice to create a whole-seeking of God is the self-discipline to say, “No” to the many things, even good things, that will distract us from seeking Him. Let life become so full; neglect prioritizing time with the Lord and He will not reveal Himself to us. God will not compromise the condition to know Him. Allow other things to keep us from seeking Him in Word and prayer, and we will not find and know Him. The high price of self-discipline must be paid.
Finally, pause and think of the Day of coming face-to-face with the Lord Jesus. Shouldn’t we get to know Him as best we can in this life before we see Him in the next? Let’s strive to make sure we are not completely surprised when we do see Him, but have cultivated a life of seeking Him; a seeking with our whole-heart.
PRAYER: “Father, show me the majesty and beauty of Your Person that fuels within me a seeking heart to know You.”
QUOTE: “We will seek the Lord when we value the Lord. Inconsistency is not only a discipline problem but a desire problem.”