To face these days without fear we must learn to seek our God
Isaiah 8:19-20 And when they say to you, ‘Seek those who are mediums and wizards, who whisper and mutter,” should not a people seek their God? Should they seek the dead on behalf of the living? To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.’
Henry says – ‘Tell them it is a principle of religion that a people ought to seek unto their God… Should not a people under guilt, and in trouble, seek to their God for pardon and peace? Should not a people in doubt, in want, and in danger, seek to their God for direction, supply, and protection? Since the Lord is our God, and we are his people, it is certainly our duty to seek him.” … Would we know how we may seek our God, and come to the knowledge of his mind? To the law and to the testimony {In the Word of God: The Bible}. There you will see what is good, and what the Lord requires of you. Make God’s statutes your counsellors, and you will be counselled aright… Those that shut their eyes against the light of God’s word will justly be abandoned to darkness, and left to wander endlessly’.
Adapted from Matthew Henry Commentary
We are told to, ’Seek the Lord while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near,’ in Isaiah 55:6. We are blessed to be in a time when the Lord is near, for there will be a time when it is too late to call upon Him. How can we seek Him? By fixing our minds upon Him, be reading His Word, by lifting up our worship to Him.
I find the best time to seek God is in the wakened hours in the night or early morning, before I switch my phone on, before anyone else is awake. Committing the ‘first fruit’ of the day to Him. Then the air is silent and I can tune into that still, small voice saying, ‘come away with Me’ and ‘come, let’s reason together’. One of my most precious possessions is my journal. I find with paper and pen I can focus, my mind is unable to wander (quite as much). If you are full of doubts and worries, then write them all down one by one – leaving room on the page for God to speak into each situation. Write them until you can think of no more – then ask Him to give you His perspective on each one. You will find you spirit lifted above them all.
But real relationship and real communication is two-way. Jesus said, ‘My sheep hear My voice’. He wants us to hear Him too. So with pen and paper ask Him to speak to you and even if it’s just a word start to write the impressions on your heart and what you believe He may be saying to you. As your confidence grows, this will be a daily blessing in your life.
And if we find that our desire for His Word has waned, then ask the Father to fill you afresh with an unquenchable desire for His Word and His presence in your life. For then you will have peace and contentment and life without fear.
‘Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out,’ 1 Tim 6:7.
Love Not the World If any man loves the world The love of the Father is not in him. You were made to communicate with angels, archangels and seraphim Yet your eyes are strained and dim. Yes you were made to communicate With the God who made them all But you have settled down on earth; Your horizons have become so small. You who were made for many worlds, Your searching hearts have ceased to roam. You have accepted this one As your ultimate home. Can it be true that you, the redeemed No longer know the authority that is in My name? Are you scarcely able to remember The place from which you came? The real Christian is actually and simply One who has allowed the true canvas of life to be unfurled. One who has dedicated himself to God To inherit another and better world. By the late Andrew Feakin (passed away 16th March 2019)
Prayer: Father forgive me for seeking in every other direction but Yours. Forgive me that I have allowed fear to control me and forfeited the life of peace You sent Your Son to bring. I ask You afresh to pour into my heart the longing for You and Your Word – that I may seek after You before anything else. Teach me Your ways. In Jesus name, Amen.