Topical Bible: Seeking God: Includes Seeking: His Face

◄ Seeking God: Includes Seeking: His Face ►

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Introduction

Seeking God is a central theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of pursuing a relationship with the Creator. This pursuit is not merely about acquiring knowledge or fulfilling religious duties but involves a heartfelt desire to know and experience God's presence. The concept of seeking His face is particularly significant, symbolizing an intimate and personal encounter with God.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible frequently encourages believers to seek God with all their heart. In Deuteronomy 4:29 , it is written, "But if from there you will seek the LORD your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul." This verse underscores the promise that God is accessible to those who earnestly pursue Him.

Seeking His Face

The phrase "seeking His face" is a metaphor for seeking God's presence and favor. In Psalm 27:8 , David expresses this desire: "My heart said, 'Seek His face.' Your face, O LORD, I will seek." This pursuit is not about seeking God's hand—His provision or intervention—but His face, which represents a deeper, more personal relationship.

The Heart of Seeking

True seeking involves the heart. Jeremiah 29:13 states, "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." This indicates that seeking God is not a superficial or half-hearted endeavor but requires sincerity and devotion.

The Role of Repentance

Repentance is often a precursor to seeking God. In 2 Chronicles 7:14 , God promises, "If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." Here, seeking God's face is linked with humility and turning away from sin.

The Reward of Seeking

The Bible assures that those who seek God will be rewarded. Hebrews 11:6 declares, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." This reward is not necessarily material but often manifests as a deeper understanding of God's character and will.

Practical Aspects of Seeking

Seeking God involves various spiritual disciplines, including prayer, meditation on Scripture, and worship. Psalm 105:4 encourages believers to "Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always." This continuous seeking is a lifestyle, not a one-time event.

Challenges in Seeking

Believers may face challenges in their pursuit of God, such as distractions, spiritual dryness, or doubt. However, perseverance is key. Isaiah 55:6 advises, "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near." This suggests urgency and persistence in seeking God.

Conclusion

The pursuit of God and His face is a lifelong journey that requires dedication, repentance, and a sincere heart. It is a call to move beyond mere religious observance to a vibrant, personal relationship with the Creator.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 27:8
When you said, Seek you my face; my heart said to you, Your face, LORD, will I seek.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 105:4
Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face ever more.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

First, I am to Consider what the Keeping of the Heart Supposes and ...
... to the will of God; and self-seeking by self ... 6. It includes the realising of God's
presence with us, and ... Concerning the hears, God seems to say, as Joseph of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/first i am to consider.htm

The First Evangelists
... and they should beware lest, in seeking to prevent ... in the same tender recognition
He includes the feeblest and lowliest of the family of God: "Whosoever shall ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 37 the first evangelists.htm

The Meaning of Sin, and the Revelation of the True Self
... is the Eternal Thought of God, Who includes within Himself ... the good of others; to
seek and, seeking, surely to find, "the happiness which God Himself knows ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/iv the meaning of sin.htm

Not Now, but Hereafter!
... contradictory in its terms; for the term "God" includes that thought ... justice is what
this modern church is seeking after ... O God, help us to escape from this awful ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/not now but hereafter.htm

Fresh Supplies of Power.
... Self-seeking. ... His will includes every bit of one's life; and therefore obedience
must also ... a simple story told of an old German friend of God which illustrates ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/fresh supplies of power.htm

Instructions for Fishermen
... for my part, that if all the good, God-fearing, Christ ... and drawing it in, and with
horny, wet hands seeking in its ... Christ's command ever includes His promise. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/instructions for fishermen.htm

What is his Name?
... I believe it includes everything the human heart longs ... have been accustomed, therefore,
to approach God with any ... an unjust deposit of a self-seeking tyrant; if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 2 what is his.htm

The Humanheartedness of Jesus.
... we think of him as the Son of God, the question ... impelled and constrained him in all
his seeking of the ... The friendship of Jesus includes all other blessings for ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter i the humanheartedness of.htm

Transformation by Beholding
... force of the word, the thing intended includes both acts. ... if you will, from all eyes
but God's, but let ... with Christ elevate you, instead of seeking to struggle ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/transformation by beholding.htm

A Gluttonous Man and a Winebibber
... to us in His perfect life, includes the acceptance ... Friend of publicans and sinners
is God manifest in ... Then, still further, this wondrous, seeking love of His ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/a gluttonous man and a.htm