“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7.14
What the New Year holds or what it has in store for you and me is known only to God, the creator. He alone holds the future. Soothsayers, seers, wizards and witchdoctors, palm readers or your horoscope may venture a few guesses which could be far from the truth, void of any reality – in order to dupe you. Do not rely on them to unveil an unknown and distant future to you. Rather trust in the Lord, your God who is omniscient – who knows it all. In this regard, we must endeavour to seek His face always and only His. He holds the future in the palm of His mighty hands. Therefore, look up to Him.
Seeking His face means wanting to hear from Him, consulting Him, in search of an answer to a particular issue, problem or question. For example, where would you be ten years hence? How will your desire to succeed get you there? Who should be your spouse? Should you go and seek adventure abroad, or brave it out at home? Some of the directions, orientations and answers we can get only from the Lord. Such answers will bring you no headaches and no embarrassments because you would be walking in accordance with God’s plan for your life.
In Old Testament times the Children of Israel relied greatly on the prophets to throw light on the direction things would go because they had ‘a red line’ with God. He spoke through them; they also heard from Him. They consulted Him for direction and sought His counsel.
The Children of Israel had barely left
Can you remember the last time you consulted God for something? Do you rather do things in your own strength and intelligence or wisdom? Neither is guaranteed to take you very far. God is near you. He knows your thoughts; He hears your heart beats. Why don’t you enquire from Him on any issue, believing He has the answers to life’s multiple worries, challenges and headaches? Only be sincere about how you seek Him. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13.
Our Lord Jesus was straightforward on this issue. He taught this very simple principle with regard to the requests we make to the Father. “Ask and it will be given unto you; seek and you shall find; knock and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks receive, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8. God’s kingdom is governed by such principles, and we are encouraged to search for answers to the stumbling blocks we encounter in life. We need to know how to life a life that is pleasing to God.
Our God is absolutely aware of when and how we seek Him. He knows our motives and the intentions of our hearts. If our motives are genuine, we definitely will find Him. “…for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; ...” 1 Chronicles 28:9.
He promises we will find Him if we care to look. Hymn writer, Henry Van Dyke, penned these verses:
“Nevermore thou needest seek me;
I am with thee everywhere.
Raise the stone and thou shalt find me
Cleave the wood and I am there.”
(Methodist Hymn Book no. 601)
God is everywhere. He is omnipresent; so we do not have to seek Him frantically or let our imagination run riot in order to find Him. He resides, and is visible in all His creations. Even in the wood that the woodcutter axes, He is found there within. We only have to look more closely.
David claimed to have sought the Lord and found Him and received from Him, having sought Him with all his heart. “I have sought your face with all my heart.” Psalm 119:58. “I sought the Lord and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4.
Where do you look for God? Find Him in His Word, the Bible. There He reveals Himself to us through the prophets and through His Son, our Lord Jesus. The time is critical. We are living in a time of grace. The Bible teaches that “… man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Hebrews 9.27 “Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6. It would be foolish to say we shall seek God in our old age. He never promised us tomorrow. We need to look for Him now ‘while it is day.’
Seeking the face of the Lord requires a lot of faith and a lot of determination in a world that has drifted from the godly principles of living. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6
I want to encourage you in this earthly race to seek God, who is the author of life, to ensure that you make it to the finishing line. He declares: “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” Proverbs 8:22
Our Lord Jesus gives us this assurance; “…whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37. It is never too late then to seek Him who is able to deliver us from the hands of the evil one and give us life everlasting – life beyond the grave.
