Topical Bible: Seeking God: Saints: Early In

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The concept of seeking God is a foundational theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of pursuing a relationship with the Divine. This pursuit is not only a call to individuals but is also exemplified by the saints, who sought God earnestly from an early age. The Bible provides numerous accounts of such individuals, highlighting their devotion and the blessings that followed their diligent search for God.

Biblical Examples of Early Seeking

1. Samuel: One of the most notable examples of seeking God early in life is the prophet Samuel. Dedicated to the Lord by his mother Hannah, Samuel served in the temple under Eli the priest from a young age. The Bible records, "Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, because the word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him" (1 Samuel 3:7). Despite his youth, Samuel was attentive to God's call, and his early dedication set the stage for his lifelong prophetic ministry.

2. David: King David, known as a man after God's own heart, also exemplified seeking God from his youth. As a shepherd boy, David spent time in solitude, meditating on God's creation and composing psalms. His early experiences with God fortified him for future challenges. In Psalm 63:1, David declares, "O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You. My soul thirsts for You, my body longs for You, in a dry and weary land without water" . This verse reflects his deep yearning for God, a pursuit that began in his youth.

3. Josiah: King Josiah of Judah is another example of seeking God early. Ascending to the throne at the age of eight, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David in the eighth year of his reign. "In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David" (2 Chronicles 34:3). His early commitment to God led to significant religious reforms and a return to covenantal faithfulness in Judah.

Theological Significance

The early seeking of God by these saints underscores several theological principles:

· Divine Initiative and Human Response: While God often initiates the relationship, as seen in His calling of Samuel, the human response is crucial. The saints' willingness to seek God demonstrates a heart open to divine influence and guidance.

· Formation of Character: Early seeking of God plays a vital role in character formation. The lives of Samuel, David, and Josiah illustrate how early devotion shapes moral and spiritual integrity, preparing individuals for future service and leadership.

· Blessings of Early Devotion: The Bible consistently shows that those who seek God early are blessed with wisdom, guidance, and favor. Proverbs 8:17 states, "I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me" . This promise highlights the rewards of diligently pursuing God from a young age.

Practical Implications

For believers today, the examples of these saints serve as an encouragement to seek God earnestly, regardless of age. The pursuit of God is a lifelong journey that begins with a sincere desire to know Him. Parents and spiritual mentors are encouraged to nurture this desire in the young, fostering an environment where seeking God is a natural and joyful endeavor. The early seeking of God lays a foundation for a life of faithfulness and spiritual vitality, echoing the legacy of the saints who have gone before.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 8:5
If you would seek to God betimes, and make your supplication to the Almighty;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 63:1
O God, you are my God; early will I seek you: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 26:9
With my soul have I desired you in the night; yes, with my spirit within me will I seek you early: for when your judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Necessity of Diligently Seeking the Saints' Rest.
... The worldly-minded are so taken up in seeking the things ... while they neglect the kingly
dignity of the saints! ... while they regard the praises of God, the joy of ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vii the necessity of.htm

Seeking Richly Rewarded
... Did not the world perceive that the suffering of the saints were good ... great sin of
having lived in neglect of God, and from henceforth, seeking pardon for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/seeking richly rewarded.htm

Prayer and Fervency
... upper heavens, where God dwells with His saints, in light ... the fervency of spirit
we exhibit, when seeking His face ... God had heard Asa's prayer in early life, but ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the necessity of prayer/v prayer and fervency.htm

Sermon for Septuagesima Sunday
... this man, such as images of the saints, teachings, holy ... man's spirit is so sunk in
God in divine ... to this point, such as humility, the seeking God's glory,"nay ...
/.../ix sermon for septuagesima sunday.htm

Introduction
... ecstasy and vision with which we are familiar in the lives of the Saints? ... calm reserve
of his childish days and on that eager seeking after God which was ...
/.../aquinas/on prayer and the contemplative life/introduction.htm

Concentration in Prayer
... through heaven and earth; not so much seeking God as seeing ... day's sin, and of our
nightly renewed peace with God! What do the angels, and the saints think of ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/xix concentration in prayer.htm

Prayer-Equipment for Preachers
... conscious of his own impotency and seeking the omnipotency ... Saints everywhere and
of every kind, and of every faith ... natural cry of the hearts of God's called men ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/ix prayer-equipment for preachers.htm

Christ's Humility Our Salvation.
... strife, and envying, that is often found even among God's saints? ... It is pride seeking
to be something ... And God's decree is irreversible, "God resisteth the proud ...
/.../murray/the masters indwelling/vii christs humility our salvation.htm

Hymns for Christian Devotion
... 503. -- Seeking God. 504. -- Not Ashamed of Christ. 505. ... 530. -- To God pertain the
issues of Life and Death. 531. ... 562. -- The Saints in Glory. 563. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/adams/hymns for christian devotion/

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... He was seeking God in the way of His commandments, and ... raising us to the unseen society
of Saints and Angels. ... May God grant, that we, like Josiah, may improve ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm