Monday Oct. 14, Deuteronomy 4:24-31
After 40 years of wandering, the Israelites were finally about to enter into the promised land. Moses, unable to cross because of his sin against the Lord (Num. 20:12), sent the people off with a series of goodbye messages; urging Israel to be loyal and obedient to God. He gave them a preview of the future when because of their idolatry, God would punish them by allowing the Babylonians to banish and scatter Israel throughout the land. “You will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord drives you. There you will serve gods, the work of man’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell.” (vs. 27-28) Moses went on to say that even so, not all would be lost. For while in exile the people would remember God once more and call upon Him. And they would find Him if they followed his instructions and, “search for Him will all your heart and all your soul.” (vs. 29)
For seventy long years Israel was in exile. And even though their punishment was a result of their own actions, I’m sure they felt forsaken and abandoned. They must have cried out, “Where are You God?” Have you ever felt like that; forgotten and ignored by the One you need the most? I know I have. But when I finally understood what it means to truly seek Him, I found that God wasn’t forgetting me, I was forgetting God.
It used to be that I only searched for God when it was convenient for me; and funnily enough it was usually when I needed something. When times were good, my interests settled on things other than my relationship with the Lord. But to seek God literally means to seek His face, or His presence. And to truly seek Him means having a passion and a hunger burning so deep in your heart and soul that you want to feel His presence not only during times of trouble, but in every minute of every day of your life. A passion that leads to being committed to not merely seeking Him, but in finding Him! And how do we find God? By remembering God.
In all of his instructions to Israel, the one Moses wanted the people to heed the most was this, “Remember the Lord your God”. Remembering God keeps us from straying off His perfect path, keeps us walking in obedience to His will, keeps us open to hearing His voice and feeling His presence, and keeps us safe from attacks from the Enemy who would like nothing better than for us to forget. Seeking God means remembering to make His thoughts our thoughts. “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” (Phil. 4:8) Seeking God means remembering to spend time in His Word. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16-17) Seeking God means remembering to give Him thanks for all things both good and bad. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28) And seeking God means remembering the sacrifice Jesus made to save us. “For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
“The Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him you will find Him; He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.” (2 Chron. 15:2). God never abandoned Israel, nor He will ever abandon us. “For the Lord your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you, nor destroy you.” (vs. 31). God has always and will always be there. Patiently and lovingly He waits for us to remember and return to Him once more. So today and everyday remember God, call upon Him and, “Set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God”! (1 Chron. 22:19)
