Experiencing God's Presence #240

I love all who love me. Those who search will surely find me.

Proverbs 8:17

The voice of Wisdom in Proverbs—and also the voice of God in many other verses—reveals a deep, divine truth. God loves to be sought. He is available in many ways to many people, even those who haven’t looked for Him, and He certainly seeks and finds those who are lost. In fact, He is a pursuer at heart. But in any relationship of true love, pursuing goes both ways. And God loves not only to pursue but to be pursued.

God can get our attention, of course, even when we aren’t looking for Him. He did that often in Scripture—in a burning bush that commanded Moses’ response, in a vision on the Damascus road that jolted Paul into awareness, and so on. But which is better: for God to have to get our attention or for Him to already have it? Which does He prefer? Which has more value for the relationship and indicates more potential for knowing and loving Him? Clearly He responds to those who seek Him because their hearts are open and ready for Him. As the writer of Hebrews expressed, “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6, NKJV).

The greatest reward is Himself. If we seek to know Him better, we will know Him better. He will make sure of that. We don’t have to figure out how; we only need to express a desire for greater intimacy with Him and ask for it earnestly. Our persistence will be rewarded, and in the gift of Himself, we will also receive the shalom He offers as well as all the other benefits of His Presence. When we seek, we will find. It’s a promise.

Father, I seek You for a lot of reasons, but I know all of Your gifts come not as separate blessings but wrapped up in Yourself. I continue to seek Your face, Lord. Please reward my search beyond my greatest expectations.

From the book