18 Jun
Hide and Seek
Remember the childhood antics of hide and seek? Both the thrill of the search and the anticipation of being found produced hours of delight. In my relationship with God, it seems as if a similar dynamic exists. God pursues me, and I am commanded to seek Him. Of late, I have been reading the book of Proverbs and pondering how these concepts work together.
Scripture records story after story of God seeking out His people.
God calls out a shameful Adam and Eve, He finds a cowering Moses, and He pursues a wayward Israel. In the New Testament, it is Jesus who embodies this aspect of God’s character. In Luke 19:10, He says of Himself, “…the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
In Proverbs 1:20-21, Solomon describes God’s wisdom. Of her he says, “Wisdom shouts in the street, she lifts her voice in the square; at the head of noisy streets, she cries out…” Clearly, in a loud voice and public places, wisdom makes herself known. God seeks His people’s attention and makes every effort to captivate it.
What should my response be to God’s pursuit? I am called to fear the Lord by posturing myself to hear and respond to God. But, what does such a response look like? Just a few verses later, Solomon identifies four practical ways to seek the Lord.
In Proverbs 2:1-5, he instructs young people with these words, “My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek for her as silver and search for her as hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord…”
I seek God when I value His word. I honor God’s word by reading it, meditating on it, and allowing it to be the ultimate authority on my beliefs, actions, and responses.
I seek God when I am teachable and listen to wise people. Fearing the Lord means living in community and spending time with more mature believers who can provide instruction in godly living.
I seek God when I pray for understanding and discernment. God promises wisdom to those who ask.
I seek God when I am persistent in pursuing wisdom. Gods asks His people to seek Him with a tenacious consistency. To those who seek with such diligent, disciplined regularity, He promises to be found.
In your life, how do you see God pursuing you? What disciplines/practices help you seek the Lord?
What do you think? Join the discussion »
Filed in: Journey, Responding to God
About the Author
Ashley Davis is in a year of new beginnings. She married in June and is the proud bride of Andrew Davis. A graduate of Union University, she called Jackson home for eight years before marrying and moving to Nashville this past year. She’s grateful for the written word and feels it is a powerful tool to help her reflect on God’s truth and process the twists and turns of life.
