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I. THE ABSOLUTE NECESSITY FOR SEEKING THE LORD. Man by nature is estranged from God; knows not his Creator; is c, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel;" cut off from God, who is "not in all his thoughts." As such, he is —

1. Helpless. "He hath nothing in himself whereby he may help himself." "Dead in trespasses and sins.

2. Hopeless. "Without God and without hope in the world." Cannot look forward into the future with cheering expectations.

3. Unhappy. "Poor and miserable, and blind and naked." "No peace, saith my God, to the wicked."

II. THE CERTAINTY OF FINDING HIM.

1. He does not ask of us impossibilities. He is a reasonable God, and never gives a command without giving also the power to perform

2. His promises are sure. "If ye seek Me, I will be found of you." "Seek and ye shall find." He never saith, "Seek ye My face in vain.'

III. THE FITTEST TIME TO SEEK HIM.

1. NOW. "New is the accepted time; now the day of salvation." "To-day if ye will hear His voice." No promise is made of to-morrow.

IV. THE CONSEQUENT BLESSINGS.

1. Pardon of Sin. "I will pardon all their iniquities."

2. A new heart. "A new heart will I give you."

3. Adoption into His family. "Heirs of God."

4. Restoration to His favour. "knew creature." "Made nigh by blood of Christ."

5. Love to God and man. "Love of God shed abroad in the heart."

6. Life everlasting. "He that believeth hath everlasting life."

(F. G. Davis.)

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KJV: Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

WEB: Seek Yahweh while he may be found; call you on him while he is near: