Worn Path

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13
 
Jeremiah 29:13 has been one of my favorite verses, but as I was rereading it recently and digging for nuggets, God uncovered a beautiful gem. The word seek is used twice, but it’s actually two different words in the original:
You will seek (baqash) me and find me = Search for by touching or feeling.
This word is also used in Psalm 27:8. When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” (NKJV) As though blind and unable to see, I find God by reaching a hand of faith to the features of His face. In that timid reach of faith, God takes my hand and guides it that I might know Him through that touch. But I have to step close and face Him to touch Him and know Him.
When you seek (darash) me with all your heart = Tread a place frequently in prayer and worship.
Do I seek Him so frequently and go so often to that secret place, that my foot falls have worn a path to Him? Am I diligent to spend time with Him, talk to Him and worship Him day after day? Did I yesterday…have I today? Is the path worn or is it overgrown by my neglect? When I stop seeking, I stop growing, my strength drains away and I grow cold.
God wants all my heart not a heart divided by the trivial pursuit of the world’s shiny objects and time suckers. He is jealous for all of me. He longs to draw me close and reveal Himself to me. There is nothing greater, more wondrous and brimming with blessing than finding the God who lovingly pursues me every moment of every day.
Oh God, forgive my divided heart and wandering feet. Set them on the path to know You. Show me Your ways, teach me Your paths, guide me in Your truth. Each day establish my steps to Your Presence. Show me Your face, O God, I want to know You. I want more and more of You.
 
 

Psalm 27:8 is quoted from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

 

5 More Minutes

Last weekend – October 10-12 – is now a memory of what seems long ago but was just a few days ago. It was a glorious weekend in Cannon Beach. Glorious weather, yes, but more glorious was the palpable Presence of God. His touch melted hearts and the fragrance of the melt rose to Him as a sweet aroma.
If I had five more minutes with the women of Sandy Baptist, I would say this…
Sink your roots deep into the unfathomable love of Christ, and grasp the blessing of abiding in Him. Set your heart and soul to know Him. Seek Him so diligently, meet with Him so often, that your frequent footfalls wear a path into His Presence.
Take time to step out of the fast flowing currents of life and step in behind the Rock. Touch Him and keep your heart aligned with His. He will do the rest. He will keep you close and will do great and mighty things in you and through you.
Andrew Murray in Abide in Christ wrote, “…take time each day…to put yourself into living contact with the living Jesus…so will you give Him the opportunity of taking hold of you, of drawing you up and keeping you safe in His Almighty life.”
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.                    Jeremiah 29:13 NIV