The term “seeking the Lord” is a common catchphrase in the church but have we ever considered what it really means? The modern Christian culture puts the emphasis the other way around, that God seeks us out. Although there is the truth to that, there is a danger that the gospel becomes “me” centered and not “Christ” centered. In this blog, we will examine a few verses to try to understand why it is so important to God that we seek Him. The first verse I want to look is a well-known verse from Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV)
“6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; 7 let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
This verse suggests that God perhaps enjoys playing “hide and seek” with His children. There are times He seems to be close and times where He seems far away. However, this is not so much about God’s character but more about the desire of His child to continue to pursue and seek Him. We have created a culture where God is at our beckon call. He is expected to serve us instead of the other way around. Seeking the Lord suggests something different. The onus is on us to continue to press into Him and go after Him even when things seem lost.
If you look at the verse carefully, truly seeking Him involves the forsaking of our wicked ways and purifying our thoughts. In other words, true seeking involves confession and repentance. Seeking Jesus must come through the cross. Like the parable of the prodigal son, the father did not come seeking after him to try to give him everything while he was still in his “pigpen”. The son had to recognize his condition and forsake his wickedness and seek out his father; Luke 15:11-19 (ESV)
“And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”
Now, notice the response of the father; Luke 11:20 (ESV)
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him”
So to truly seek Jesus is to come to Him on His basis and not some “seeker friendly” mindset that does not first cause me to forsake self. The final verse, Acts 3:17-21 (ESV) continues this thought.
“And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. 19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Seeking the Lord involves not coming to Jesus with an entitlement but coming to Him and worshipping Him as the King of the Universe. His holiness demands it. I believe that we are coming to a season of a great outpouring. Thus, let us “consecrate” ourselves and prepare ourselves for Him. Let us forsake our “self” exaltation and coming to Him with a spirit of humility. God is seeking a people who will respond in that way. May we be prepared even as Jeremiah exhorted a people in exile; Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)
“ You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”
This first suggests that I will forsake every obstacle, distraction and every aspect of the culture in my seeking after you. I will embrace divine protocol of consecration and forsaking wickedness. Finally, I will embrace humility in my vertical and horizontal relationships in my pursuit of You; James 4:10 (ESV)
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
We are coming into the most amazing time in human history. The Spirit and the bride say come Lord Jesus. Turn away from every aspect of pride and worldliness, embrace humility and seek Him with all your heart. He is totally worth it. Your eternity just might depend on it. God bless!!