But If From There You Seek....

God is omnipresent and his word says he will never leave us or forsake us. His promises to us are never in doubt. Yet in the life of a Christian there are periods of exquisite closeness with the Lord and times of dryness where there seems to be a merciless distance. Why is this? Obviously, only God knows his reasons for the ebb and flow of the presence of God in our lives. Certainly, sin drives a wedge between us. But one wonders whether the nature of faith itself requires periods of distance to be tested and approved. To draw near to God we must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Heb 11:6). If he was ever constantly experientially present, faith would be unnecessary. So, there seems to be something to the idea of seeking him. God wants us to seek him. Seeking him is only necessary if there is a perception of distance between us and him. Those who love God seek him because they see his glory and experience his presence and long to have more. But it is easy to drift into the world, our worries and cares, our "false gods." The Lord is gracious and says that if from there we seek him, we will find him if we look with all our heart (Deut 4:29). We are called by God to consistently, continually seek him. So, how practically do we do this? " Both the Old and New Testaments say it (continual seeking of God) is a “setting of the mind and heart” on God" (Piper, see below reference). We are to by an act of the will focus our minds, thoughts and affections of the Almighty (Col 3:1,2; 1 Chron 22:19). Thoughts can arise out of nowhere. Choosing to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Cor 10:5) and purposing to meditate on the Lord and not worthless things takes some work. Mainly mental focus and a willful choice. Piper goes on to say that we must seek God to experience him: "Nevertheless, there is always something through which or around which we must go to meet him consciously. This going through or around is what seeking is. He is often hidden. Veiled." There are roadblocks everywhere to our seeking and finding God. These obstacles may be "good things" from a worldly perspective.  They can be disguised as even ministry.  We must ruthlessly flee these spiritually dulling obstacles (also Piper's words).  Accepting things that draw us away from God is not acceptable. God promises if we seek him we will find him. He is the reward above all rewards and infinitely valuable, satisfying and joy producing.  Why do I constantly accept less?

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2009/4163_What_Does_It_Mean_to_Seek_the_Lord/

The Ethiopian Eunuch

Last night I was reading in Acts about the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40) and was overwhelmed with a recognition of the love of God for those who want to know him. The eunuch was the treasurer of the queen of Ethiopa, and he had gone up to Jerusalem to worship God. On the road back home, the Spirit directed Phillip to go first on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza and then up to the chariot where the eunuch was reading the book of Isaiah. Phillip climbed into the chariot and explained the gospel to the seeking Ethiopian who then requested to be baptized. Notice the eunuch left his home to worship. He was willing to sacrifice his time and comfort to meet the living God. Notice the eunuch studied the scriptures seeking to know the Almighty. It was not a token acknowledgment of the existence of God but a planned, dedicated seeking of Him. Most meaningful to me, notice God's great love for this man who sought him. God caused the needed events occur for the seeking man to be reconciled to Him by faith. He proactively sought and secured the Ethiopian's salvation. O how he loves us!

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and all your soul. (Deut 4:29).