Seeking the Lord: Discovering His Will, Experiencing His Presence

What Does it Mean to Seek the Lord?

As believers, seeking the Lord is one of the most important things we can do in our walk with Christ. But what does it mean to seek the Lord? Seeking the Lord means seeking His presence. In other words, it means to seek Him and His will for our lives. In the Bible, seeking the Lord is mentioned many times, and it is always linked to obedience, trust, and faith.

The phrase "seeking the Lord" is often used interchangeably with other phrases such as "seeking God," "seeking His face," and "seeking His will." These phrases all refer to the same thing: a desire to be in God's presence and to know His will for our lives.

What Does it Mean to Seek God's Face?

The phrase "seeking God's face" is used throughout the Bible to describe a desire to be in God's presence. In the Old Testament, the phrase "seeking God's face" is often used in the context of worship, prayer, and sacrifice. In the New Testament, the phrase is used to describe a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.

When we seek God's face, we are seeking to know Him intimately. We desire to be in His presence and to hear His voice. We want to know His will for our lives and to follow Him wherever He leads us. Seeking God's face is not just a one-time event; it is a lifelong pursuit.

How to Seek the Lord?

The Bible provides us with several ways to seek the Lord. Here are some of the most important ways:

1. Prayer and Fasting

Prayer and fasting are powerful ways to seek the Lord. In Matthew 6:6, Jesus said, "But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Similarly, in Matthew 6:16-18, Jesus taught us about the importance of fasting. Fasting is a way to humble ourselves before God and to seek His will for our lives.

2. Reading and Studying the Bible

Another way to seek the Lord is by reading and studying the Bible. The Bible is God's Word, and it is the primary way that He speaks to us. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul wrote, "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." When we read and study the Bible, we are seeking to know God's will for our lives.

3. Worship

Worship is another way to seek the Lord. When we worship God, we are acknowledging His greatness and His sovereignty over our lives. In John 4:23-24, Jesus said, "Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth."

4. Obedience

Obedience is a key part of seeking the Lord. In John 14:15, Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands." When we obey God's commands, we are showing our love for Him and our desire to follow His will for our lives.

5. Fellowship

Fellowship with other believers is also important in seeking the Lord. In Hebrews 10:24-25, the writer encourages us to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." When we gather with other believers, we can encourage one another in our walk with Christ.

Why Should We Seek the Lord?

Seeking the Lord is important for several reasons:

1. To Know God's Will for Our Lives

When we seek the Lord, we are seeking His will for our lives. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we are told, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." When we trust in the Lord and seek His will, He will guide us on the path He has for us.

2. To Grow Closer to God

Seeking the Lord is also important for growing closer to God. In James 4:8, we are told, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." When we seek the Lord, we are drawing near to Him and allowing Him to draw near to us. This leads to a deeper relationship with Him.

3. To Experience His Presence

When we seek the Lord, we can experience His presence in our lives. In Psalm 16:11, David wrote, "You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." When we seek the Lord, we can experience His joy and His peace in our lives.

What Happens When We Seek the Lord?

When we seek the Lord, several things can happen:

1. We Find Him

In Jeremiah 29:13, we are told, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." When we seek the Lord with all our heart, we will find Him. God wants to be found by us, and He will reveal Himself to us when we seek Him.

2. Our Faith Grows

When we seek the Lord, our faith grows. In Romans 10:17, we are told, "Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." When we read and study the Bible, our faith in Christ grows stronger.

3. We Experience His Blessings

When we seek the Lord, we can experience His blessings in our lives. In Psalm 34:10, David wrote, "The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing." When we seek the Lord, He provides for our needs and blesses us in ways we could never imagine.

Conclusion

Seeking the Lord is one of the most important things we can do in our walk with Christ. It means seeking His presence, His will, and His way for our lives. When we seek the Lord, we find Him, our faith grows, and we experience His blessings. So let us seek the Lord with all our heart, and let us trust in Him to guide us on the path He has for us.

As we seek the Lord, let us also remember these words from Psalm 42:1-2: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?" May we have the same thirst and desire for God's presence in our lives.

Let us also be encouraged by these words from Isaiah 55:6-7: "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon."

So let us seek the Lord with all our heart, and let us trust in Him to guide us on the path He has for us. May we experience His presence, His blessings, and His will for our lives as we seek Him.