Topical Bible: Seeking God: Includes Seeking: The City Which God Has Prepared

◄ Seeking God: Includes Seeking: The City Which God Has Prepared ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Seeking God is a central theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of pursuing a relationship with the Creator. This pursuit is characterized by a heartfelt desire to know God, understand His will, and live according to His commandments. The act of seeking God is not merely a passive endeavor but an active, intentional pursuit that involves prayer, study of Scripture, and obedience to His Word.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently 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 seek Him.

The Psalms frequently echo this sentiment. Psalm 27:8 states, "My heart said, 'Seek His face.' Your face, O LORD, I will seek." This reflects a personal commitment to pursuing God's presence. Similarly, Psalm 105:4 exhorts believers to "Seek out the LORD and His strength; seek His face always."

New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of seeking God. In Matthew 6:33 , He instructs, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This directive places the pursuit of God's kingdom and righteousness above all earthly concerns.

The Apostle Paul also speaks to the necessity of seeking God. In Acts 17:27 , he explains that God created humanity so "that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us." This passage highlights God's proximity and the accessibility of His presence to those who seek Him.

Seeking: The City Which God Has Prepared

The concept of seeking extends beyond the present life to the eternal promise of a city prepared by God. Hebrews 11:10 speaks of Abraham, who "was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." This city represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the eternal dwelling place for believers.

Hebrews 13:14 further elaborates, "For here we do not have a permanent city, but we are looking for the city that is to come." This verse encourages believers to maintain a forward-looking perspective, seeking the eternal city that God has prepared, rather than becoming overly attached to the transient nature of earthly life.

Practical Application

Seeking God requires dedication and intentionality. It involves regular prayer, meditation on Scripture, and a lifestyle that reflects God's values. Believers are encouraged to cultivate a heart that longs for God's presence and to prioritize their relationship with Him above all else.

The pursuit of God is both a personal and communal journey. Engaging in fellowship with other believers, participating in worship, and serving others are vital components of seeking God. These practices help to align one's life with God's purposes and foster a deeper understanding of His character and will.

In summary, seeking God is a lifelong journey that encompasses both the present pursuit of His presence and the future hope of the city He has prepared. It is a call to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing the things of God above the temporal concerns of this world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 11:10,16
For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 13:14
For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

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

Not Now, but Hereafter!
... is contradictory in its terms; for the term "God" includes that thought ... is what this
modern church is seeking after ... sinner, why wilt thou dare the wrath of God? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/not now but hereafter.htm

The Security of the Church
... But, alas, Puseyism is seeking to eat out the very ... The fact which relates to the
Church includes in it ... God has fortressed his people; so that every believer is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the security of the church.htm

The Seventh Beatitude
... his relations to God, and one which also includes his relations ... round about him;
and, above all, seeking to make ... He must give us peace with God, with ourselves ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the seventh beatitude.htm

Jehovah
... and would give up at once and forever seeking to establish ... faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith. ... To me this name includes all the others ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 6 jehovah.htm

Your Own Salvation
... Salvation includes deliverance from the present wrath of God ... from infirmity; and
you are earnestly seeking after God ... have been laughing at the things of God? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/your own salvation.htm

Of Civil Government.
... For, under the term honour, the former includes a sincere ... already king elect by the
ordination of God, and anointed ... the life of one who was seeking his life to ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... an overruling Providence to adopt means of seeking Divine favour ... oath always brings
under obligation to God, and therefore always includes the making ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Love's Triumph Over Sin
... receives the most stupendous proof of the seeking divine love. ... they 'are come to
the city of God, to an ... one question, 'Lovest thou Me?' That includes everything ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/loves triumph over sin.htm

Galatians Chapter ii.
... Jew:" but he generalizes as he goes on, and includes himself in ... "I do not make void
the grace of God." [71 ... is not in abandoning the Law, but in seeking it again ...
/.../galatians chapter ii.htm