Seeking (and Finding) the Lord
Jeremiah 29:11 has become somewhat of a “life verse” for me over the years. It reminds me that God does have a good and loving a plan for my life, not just for right now, but all the way through eternity, my “expected end.” But more recently verse 13 of the same chapter has likewise become precious to me, because of its promise that when we seek the Lord, we will find Him!
Just ponder that for a moment: God, the Creator of all, the one Isaiah calls “the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy.” (57:15) This God not only allows us sinful, finite creatures to seek Him, He promises to be found!
God isn’t interested in playing some cosmic hide-and-seek game with His creatures. He wants us to seek Him, because He wants us to find Him. It’s as simple as that. But how do we really seek God?
Isaiah 55:6-7 describes what it looks like to seek the Lord:
“Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
When we seek the Lord, we will do two very simple (but by no means easy or insignificant) things: Forsake sin and return to God.
When the Holy Spirit prompts us to seek the Lord, it usually means that sin has crept in somewhere and we may not even realize it. (That’s one reason God gave us the Holy Spirit, to reveal our sin and convict our hearts so we will take care of it and get right with God.)
Before we can return to the place of close fellowship with the Lord, we must forsake any sin that has taken root in our hearts and minds. As Psalm 66:18 says,
“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.”
That word “regard” literally means to see, look at, or consider. This is a clear reference to sin we know about, but are refusing to get rid of.
We must remember, too, that sin does not just show up in our actions. Notice the emphasis in Isaiah 55 not just on deeds, but thoughts as well. God isn’t impressed by our actions if our minds are wallowing in wickedness. However, a heart right with God will naturally lead to forsaking wicked thoughts and actions, replacing them with simple obedience to God.
Once we finally admit to our wickedness of thought or deed—or both—we can then return to the Lord. The word translated “return” really does mean just that, but it has the sense of turning away from one thing and towards another. As we turn away from sin, forsaking wicked deeds and thoughts, our hearts should be turning towards the Lord, asking for His help and forgiveness, and desiring to know Him more and serve Him better each day.
And then what? Remember how Jeremiah 29:13 promises that God will be found by those who seek Him? Well, our passage in Isaiah 55 tells us what that looks like, too!
“let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.”
What a glorious truth, that God doesn’t just allow us to return. He doesn’t keep us at arm’s length, or accept our return as a disagreeable duty He is bound to perform. He wants to be merciful, and the pardon He is waiting to give us is not just sufficient, but abundant!
This week, dear Reader, as you go about your daily life, remember to seek the Lord while He may be found, and to call upon Him while He is near. No sin is ever too little or too big to take to God. Humbly ask for His mercy and pardon, and rejoice that He has promised to give it!
“O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon His name: make known His deeds among the people. Sing unto Him, sing psalms unto Him: talk ye of all His wondrous works. Glory ye in His holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.” Psalm 105:3-4