SEEKING HEARTS ARE BLESSED (2)

“The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who SEEK the Lord shall not lack any good thing” – Psalm 34:10

SEEKING HEARTS are BLESSED: “The young lions lack and suffer hunger; but those who SEEK the Lord shall not lack any good thing” (Psa.34:10). Having grown up in the outdoors, David would have been acquainted with lions (1Sam.17:34-36). The young lion is the emblem of power and self-resource. Yet these sometimes lack, but earnest seekers after Truth and Righteousness never. As true seekers of God, we’ll lack nothing good, in the context of God’s Will for us and for our lives. This psalm, written by David at one of the darkest days of his wanderings, probably in the cave of Adullam, shows that even when we encounter adversity, God uses such for our good (Rom.8:28). Yesterday, we reflected on five benefits of seeking God. The following are five additional rewards:

DELIVERANCE: “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces were not ashamed” (vv.4-5). God never forsakes those who diligently seek Him: “The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them” (Psa.145:18-19). He is the strong Tower of Safety for all who run into Him (Pro.18:10).

RIGHTEOUSNESS: “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to SEEK the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you” (Hos.10:12). Seeking God leads to righetousness: “He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who SEEK Him, who SEEK His face” (Psa.24:5-6). Through Christ, we are declared righteous; however, living virtuously daily, demands fresh Grace. Apart from Christ, we cannot produce a righteous life (Jh.15:5). By seeking God, we can walk in the Spirit and not gratify fleshly lusts (Gal. 5:16).

DISCERNMENT, WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING: “Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; they you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Pro.2:2-6). As we commit to seeking God first, His wisdom and understanding become available, to follow His plan and purpose for our lives. The foolishness of God is wiser than all human wisdom (1 Cor. 1:25). From His throne flows the discernment to live to the fullest and maximise life’s opportunities (Eph. 5:15-16). Proverbs 28:5a says, “But those who seek the LORD understand all.”

HOPE: “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who SEEKS Him” (Lam.3:24-25). Seeking God infuses Hope. Time in God’s presence renews endurance to run the race ahead, a longing to see His kingdom come, and an expectancy to see Him move here on earth. Because He cares for us, we can cast all our apprehension and burdens on Him and receive a restored hope for the future (1Pet.5:7).

SATISFACTION: “O God, You are my God; early will I SEEK You; my soul thirts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water” (Psa.63:1). It was in seeking God that David found contentment: “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I SEEK: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple” (Psa.27:4). In a world full of options and the desire for more, it’s easy to become discontent with our lives. The steadfast pursuit of seeking God first is the only source of true satisfaction. He satisfies the hungry, longing soul with good things (Psa.107:9).

God is the Rewarder of those who faithfully and diligently SEEK HIM (Heb.11:6).