- Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Over and over again I come back to Hebrews 11:6. I reference it in many of the devotions I write. I often talk about it in various conversations. I offer it as advice. I pray about it for myself and others.
So what does it mean to diligently seek God? Honestly, I don’t think anyone can give you a complete answer to this question. But, as with many of the deep questions we have about God and living a life that honors Him, there is one sure place to go for the answers, the Bible.
What I have included below is far from complete. But I believe these areas are critically important when it comes to our relationship with God and Seeking Diligently.
As Disciples of Christ, we should be:
Reading Daily
- Acts 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
- Spending quality time reading, studying and praying scripture is critical to our relationship with our creator. This is how we learn who God is, who we are as His children, what He has promised us, what He expects from us, and so much more. The Holy Spirit reveals the truth about God to us through His Word.
Praying Endlessly
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
- Do you want to know what God’s Will is for you? The Bible has a lot to say about this; it’s much more about what God’s Word says than what you ‘feel’. This verse makes clear that joyful, constant* and grateful prayer is an important part of what God wants for you.
- *Constant has to do with the content, commitment and consistency of your prayers.
Working Tirelessly
- Matthew 25:21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
- If God wants you to do something, He will equip you to do it – even if that means failing. Sometimes it is about results. Sometimes it is about obedience. Sometimes it is about learning through failure. Sometimes it is about developing patience. Sometimes it is not about you at all!!
- If you aren’t clear about the Biblical truth that we don’t/can’t work to earn or keep our salvation in Christ (forgiveness of our sin debt and eternal life in Heaven), please read the ‘When Work Doesn’t Work’ devotion posted on this site on April 26, 2015.
Giving Generously
- Acts 20:35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
- It’s simple, God has blessed you so you can bless others. You may need to give time, encouragement, stuff, money, empathy, compassion, talents, knowledge, skills… Some people say, ‘Give until it hurts.' I say, ‘Give until you die; then die feeling really good about it!'
Trusting Completely
- Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
- From an eternal perspective (which is what really matters), do you truly believe that God can or would do anything that isn’t in your best interest. We live in a fallen, messed-up world; sometimes the answers aren’t simple. But He always has the right answer and He is always in control.
- Trust is about believing.
Submitting Totally
- Acts 21:13-14 Then Paul answered, “What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The will of the Lord be done.”
- Do you REALLY believe that God is in control? Completely surrendering the circumstances and consequences in your life to Him is not a natural act for sinful humanity. But with true faith and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, as we mature in Christ, as we experience His faithfulness, we can confidently and peacefully accept the happenings and outcomes that result from His plans.
- Submission is about accepting.
Waiting Patiently
- Psalm 27:14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!
- We live in an impatient world: we want; we need; we deserve (at least we think, feel and believe). Father God knows best. He knows the who, what, when, where, and why. God will teach you patience.
Forgiving Totally
- Mark 11:25-26 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
- Do you deserve the forgiveness that God has given, is giving and will give you? Think about that! Learn from that!! Live like that!!!
Loving Genuinely
- Jesus showed true love (see John 19:30). Paul described true love (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7). The Bible tells us who we are supposed to love.
- Love God with all that you are
- Mark 12:29-30 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
- Love those in need of mercy
- Mark 12:31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
- In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus teaches us what the word neighbor means in the context of this command. Your neighbor is anyone in need of mercy!
- Love other Christians
- John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
- Love your enemies
- Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
- If you missed it, as Christians, we are commanded to love everyone!
Shining Brightly
- Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
- We have been given the ability to shine as a bright light in a very dark place. Our light was not meant to be hidden under a basket. Who needs to see your light shine?
Living Faithfully
- Colossians 1:10-11 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
- God has given His children the power and the desire to honor Him with our lives (see Acts 1:8 and Philippians 2:13). Surrender to it. Strive for it. Seek Him about it.
Seeking Diligently is about who you really are in Christ!
- Psalm 119:1-3 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the Lord! 2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart! 3 They also do no iniquity; They walk in His ways.
- It is about what you do, how you do it and why you do it.
- It is about what you think and desire; the longing to understand truth.
- It is about obedience, priorities and commitment.
- It is about the purposes and legacies of your life.
- Psalm 119 is all about Seeking Diligently.
Are you Seeking Diligently?
- From the items listed above, which one challenges you the most?
- What did I not include in the list that really needs to be there?
- Have a meaningful conversation with someone about this.
- Pray to our Heavenly Father about this.
Prayer
My God and King, I know I fall desperately short when it comes to diligently seeking. Forgive my preoccupation, selfishness, judgmental nature, laziness and excuses. Draw me close to You. Draw all Your children and all You are calling to salvation in Christ close to You. I praise You and thank You for Your patience and faithfulness. I pray these things in the name of Your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
