Dr H Reflections

Rocket Man and 2.0 ∙∙

Rocket Man and 2.0 ∙∙

You do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives so that you may spend it on your pleasures. – James 4:2-3

2 Kings 2:9-15

9 When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”

10 “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.”

11 As they were walking along and talking, suddenly, a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and a whirlwind carried Elijah into heaven.

12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress.

13 Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then, Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River.

14 He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.

15 When the group of prophets from Jericho saw from a distance what happened, they exclaimed, “Elijah’s spirit rests upon Elisha!”

There is a dreaded encounter that many of us have experienced. We’re in a grocery checkout line when we see the all-too-familiar scene: a frazzled mother trying to manage her unruly, stubborn, spoiled, strong-willed two-year-old. The mom is feverishly at work, attempting to perform damage control. She’s desperately trying to keep things under control, but the child is running amok – grabbing at items, making demands, and throwing tantrums when they don’t get their way.

Sad to say, as children of the King, we too often act like spoiled spiritual children as well.

We ask and do not receive because we ask with the wrong intentions, driven by our own desires. Our selfishness and craving for self-satisfaction blind us, pushing us to want more and more. We want stuff! Only concerned with immediate gratification and short-term benefits. We are myopic, but our Father is not. He hears our prayers, but He also understands the motives behind them.

We could label the first type of prayer as Prayer 1.0, which is primarily concerned with satisfying self-centered desires. The Greek term translating to passions or pleasures is hedone, which implies pleasure, gratification, and delight. In the New Testament, it refers to physical pleasure and is metaphorically used for desire, appetite, and lust. The English term hedonist has its roots in this word.

In contrast, Prayer 2.0 is quite different. Taking a different approach. It is God-centered. It seeks to honor the Father and advance His kingdom purposes. The Apostle John assumes we intend to please the Father rather than ourselves.

1 John 5:14-15

14 And this is our confidence before him: whenever we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

15 And if we know that he hears us regarding whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests we have asked from him.

REFLECT & PRAY

Too often, we are spoiled spiritual two-year-olds. We need to come to grips with this and grow up.

Father when I search my heart, I find a great deal of self-interest. Indeed, I am self-centric. Encourage me to become God-centric and to seek Your kingdom above all else.

INSIGHT

When seeking to do the will of God, do not be afraid to ask for great things! The Father can do far more abundantly beyond all we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

Take the example of Elisha. He had been a PIT, Prophet In Training. Elijah had been Elisha’s spiritual mentor and father (2 Kings 2:12).

Elisha’s request for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit might seem strange or even egoistic to us. However, in their cultural context, Elisha requested what the eldest son would usually expect from a father in Israel: a double portion of the inheritance.

Elisha was the Father’s choice as Elijah’s successor. Elisha had his sights set on being a devoted and successful servant of the Father. He aspired to be a powerful and effective prophet of the living God. Despite the great challenges and arduous path ahead, Elisha craved to be fully prepared for the mission God had entrusted him with.

The double portion that Elisha asked for was a plea for an extra measure of the Father’s blessings and favor on his life. This gift was beyond Elijah’s authority to grant. Elijah could not promise this double portion because it was the Father’s prerogative alone to bestow the blessing of His Spirit.

A double portion of the spirit of Elijah was precisely what the Father intended to give to Elisha. Elisha’s God-centric desire was heard and granted. He continued the work that Elijah had begun.

Luke 11:13 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”

Elijah is taken to heaven in a fiery chariot, becoming the first rocket man. Elisha’s crucial request was granted, and he became Elijah’s successor, or Elijah 2.0, if you will.

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Why do churches have secondhand pianos? ∙

Why do churches have secondhand pianos? ∙

Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing Me! But you say, “How have we robbed You?” – Malachi 3:8

Malachi 1:11-14

11 But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. Around the world, they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

12 “But you dishonor my name with your actions. You say it’s right to defile the Lord’s table by bringing contemptible food.

13 You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the LORD,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the LORD.

14 “Cursed is the cheat who promises to give a fine ram from his flock but then sacrifices a defective one to the Lord. For I am a great king,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “and my name is feared among the nations!

Nearly everyone at one time or another may have taken some office supplies from their workplace. Generally speaking, it is not considered a big deal and dismissed as insignificant. It’s like the “little white lie” of stealing. However, a new study called “The Slippery Slope: How Small Ethical Transgressions Pave the Way for Larger Future Transgressions” suggests that pilfering a pen from work could potentially open the door to substantial corporate fraud. The study found that individuals who committed such minor infractions gradually found it easier to rationalize larger acts of theft.

Consider Johnny Cash’s song, “One Piece at a Time.” Johnnie sings about his experience working on a GM Cadillac assembly line in Detroit, where he gradually stole Cadillac parts over 25 years. Finally, he cobbles it together into a Franken-car. His lengthy spree of theft started with the first stolen piece.

“People rationalize their behavior to justify it,” Ordóñez, one of the study’s authors, said. “They might think, ‘No one got hurt,’ or ‘Everyone does it.’ The next time, they feel fine about doing something a little bit worse the next time and then commit more severe unethical actions.” The study refers to Bernie Madoff, who was handed a 150-year prison sentence for masterminding the biggest Ponzi scheme in history. “Well, you know what happens is, it starts out with you taking a little bit, maybe a few hundred, a few thousand. You get comfortable with that, and before you know it, it snowballs into something big” (Emily Cohn, The Huffington Post).

C. Kerry Fields, a professor of business law and ethics at the University of Southern California, observes, “I think everyone is doing this to some degree. You can only take the ethical theory of relativism so far until it hits you: this is wrong” (Matt Villano, The New York Times).

It’s disheartening to think about people stealing from God. How can this even happen? The Father doesn’t leave things unattended for us to take. We rob God not by physically taking something but by failing to give what we’ve been instructed to provide. “Since God made and owns everything, He doesn’t need anything that we can bring Him (Acts 17:25)” (Wiersbe).

The Mosaic law is the constitution of the Nation of Israel. Under the Mosaic law, the Father made commitments to the nation of Israel. At the same time, He clearly stipulated what His expectations were for them. The entire system of sacrifice was a practical method to support the priesthood in their daily temple duties. Serving in the temple was their “occupation.” They earned their living through portions of the sacrificial offerings (Numbers 18:8, 11, 19, 21-24).

As a result, they deprived the temple of the necessary resources for its operation. “When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem, the temple storerooms were empty of produce, and many of the priests and Levites had abandoned their service to go back home and work their fields in order to care for their families (Nehemiah 13:10). The people had vowed to bring their tithes (Nehemiah 10:34-39), but they hadn’t kept their vow” (Wiersbe).

Malachi 3:8 “Should people rob God? Yet you have robbed me! But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’ “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.”

REFLECT & PRAY

“Don’t bring God something leftover that you do not want . . .. He deserves our best” (Stanley).

Father assist me in keeping my commitment to You. I recognize that part of me, my sinful nature, often leads me to offer You less than my best, take shortcuts, and get by.

INSIGHT

The Father wants our best. Rather than give Him what He wants and deserves, we decide what to give to Him instead. It is often a paltry substitute.

Malachi’s message was primarily aimed at the priests (Malachi 1:6, 2:1, 7-8). They had solemn responsibilities as the Father’s representatives. They were to teach the law and mediate between the Father and His people. The Lord asked why they were not honoring Him as sons honor a father. The priests were supposed to honor God’s name but were disgracing it instead. Further, they were called to be God’s servants. He was their master, yet they displayed no regard for their Divine Master. When confronted by Malachi, their response was one of arrogance. Asked, “In what way have we despised Your name?” (Malachi 1:6, NKJV), so he told them (Wiersbe).

Malachi 1:6-14

6 The LORD of Heaven’s Armies says to the priests: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! “But you ask, ‘How have we ever shown contempt for your name?’”

7 “You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar. Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?’ You defile them by saying the altar of the LORD deserves no respect.”

8 “When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

10 “How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “and I will not accept your offerings.”

11 “But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. Around the world, they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

12 “But you dishonor my name with your actions. By bringing contemptible food, you are saying it’s all right to defile the Lord’s table.”

13 “You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the LORD,’ and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies. “Think of it! Animals that are stolen and crippled and sick are being presented as offerings! Should I accept from you such offerings as these?” asks the LORD.

Do you recognize yourself as you reflect on the behavior of the priests and their response to Malachi’s confrontation? I certainly do. The Old Testament contains stories that expose the worst aspects of human nature and sinfulness. These tales are meant to serve as cautionary lessons for all children of the King. The hope is we can do better than they did.

Romans 15:4 states that such instances were documented in the Scriptures long ago for our instruction.

We are guilty of similar attitudes and actions. Do we offer the Father our absolute best? Or do we present Him with something less than that, perhaps second-best, third-best, or even worse?

Perhaps that is why churches have secondhand pianos. The people who donated them bought a new piano for personal use and gave what was left over to the Father.

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Crucial choices – from grit to grace ∙

Crucial choices – from grit to grace ∙

There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. – Proverbs 16:25

Matthew 7:13-14

13 You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.

14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Even under favorable weather conditions, traveling on some roads can be extremely dangerous. Imagine driving through a mountainous terrain filled with twists and turns, inclines and declines. The consequences can be dire if you don’t know they are coming and adjust driving accordingly. Missing a turn in the mountains can result in driving off a cliff.

Caution signs are erected along these roads to safeguard drivers and their loved ones. These signs alert drivers of upcoming turns and other potentially hazardous road conditions.

Similarly, the Father is fully aware of the hazards we face traveling along life’s highways. He has posted many warning signs in His Word to help us avoid danger and devastation.

Could it be that people have misconceptions about which choices are beneficial or detrimental? Many parents influence their children to believe that hard work will bring success. Take, for instance, the popular saying from the Emmy-winning TV show Friday Night Lights, “Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can’t lose.” Recent studies have identified “grit,” a measure of one’s work ethic, as a crucial determinant of success in life. Grit is all about your work ethic. Grit motivates individuals to labor diligently and persist regardless of the obstacles.

In the world, grit can lead to extraordinary achievements in life. In the kingdom of God, can grit bring us into the presence of the King?

The Lord Jesus Christ provides an answer to this. He presents two options for people to choose from. One path leads to life, while the other leads to destruction. The route to eternal life is described as “narrow.” It is the road less traveled. This choice is not popular, and few choose it.

Luke 13:24 Strive to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.

The path most people opt for is broad and effortless. The Lord Jesus Christ asserts that the popular consensus leads to destruction.

What is being overlooked by the majority? What are they missing? There is an immense difference between the nature of God and the nature of the human race. It is often not fully grasped or considered. The Father is holy, righteous, and good. His is perfect. Fallen humanity is not. Even the best of us fall short of the absolute holiness of the living God.

It is a sobering truth that no amount of hard work or determination can bridge this gap. We cannot, through our own efforts, overcome this disparity. We cannot make up the difference. We cannot save ourselves from our sins.

Knowing this, The Father sent the Lord Jesus Christ to come into the world for the express purpose of saving us from our sins.

The Father has posted warning signs in His love to keep us safe. Is it prudent to disregard these warnings, trust in ourselves, and optimistically hope for the best? On a hazardous mountain road, there are many risks. How do we protect ourselves from danger and destruction? We watch out for warning signs and heed their message. Is there a more sensible decision?

In life, we safeguard ourselves by adhering to the Father’s wisdom and the warnings and guidance He has given us. He alone provides the Way, the Truth, and the Life to come to the Father. Trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ means discarding any idea of gaining the Father’s approval through our own actions. We acknowledge that the chasm is too great to overcome by ourselves.

REFLECT & PRAY

Acts 4:12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.

Father thank You for providing warnings and directions. Thank you for providing the Way to come into Your kingdom. It is narrow and hard. Yet, anyone can find it and choose to enter Your eternal kingdom.

INSIGHT

Matthew 7:13-14

13 You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.

14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

The Greek word translated as narrow is stenos. When referring to physical space, stenos has the sense of narrow or thin. Metaphorically, when it relates to the entrance and path to eternal life, it means narrow, strict, exacting, and, or restricted. It is a hard choice. Therefore, few choose it. The Lord Jesus encourages people to overcome the difficulty and choose the narrow gate.

The Greek word for broad is euruchoros. Euruchoros connotes spacious and roomy, regarding a road broad and wide.

In Matthew 7:14, the word translated as hard or difficult is thlibo. Thlibo means to experience trouble or difficulty. It means to oppress with evil, afflict, or distress. The English word tribulation comes from this term.

You cannot just mindlessly follow the crowd if you want eternal life. “You really have to want to get in through this gate. If you just drift, allowing the current to take you where it will, you’ll miss it. But this gate leads to life, and the other sort all lead to destruction . . .. Choices matter; actions and motives matter. Learning to follow Jesus and to know God as a father matter. Eternal issues are at stake” (N. T. Wright).

Children of the King throughout the ages have always been a remnant, a small minority of the human population. “The reason is not difficult to discover: The way of life is narrow, lonely, and costly” (Wiersbe).

“There are only two religions in the world. There is the religion of human achievement, the religion of works, the religion of the flesh, the religion that says you can be good enough, holy enough, religious enough, spiritual enough. And there is the one other option, the religion of divine accomplishment, the religion of faith, grace, mercy and not of the flesh but of the Spirit and they do not mix” (John MacArthur).

The Lord Jesus Christ came to planet Earth to become the Savior of the world. He alone made it possible for people to enter into the kingdom of heaven. He was emphatic and clearly stated that there was no other way.

John 14:6 I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

“Is it not arrogance or narrow-mindedness to claim that there is only one way of salvation or that the way we follow is the right way? I think not. After all, do we fault a pilot for being narrow-minded when he follows the instrument panel [while] landing in a rainstorm? No, we want him to remain narrowly focused!” (Billy Graham)

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Why fear forks?

Why fear forks?

He came to his own people, and they rejected him. – John 1:11

Romans 10:1-3

1 Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved.

2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law.

From the dawn of civilization, mankind has grappled with fire, grindstones, sharp tools, and pots to transform raw food into edible meals. Knives, perhaps our most crucial culinary tool, predate the discovery of fire. On the other hand, forks faced centuries of mockery and ostracism before gaining widespread acceptance.

In the 11th century, using a fork was considered sacrilegious. They were considered a symbol of greed and gluttony. The prevailing belief was that God had given us hands to eat with, and using any other instrument directly defied His will. Forks were deemed immoral, unsanitary, and a tool of the devil. The word “fork” is derived from the Latin furca. Furca is the Latin word for “pitchfork.” Fill in the blanks.

The first dining forks were used by royalty in the Middle East and the Byzantine Empire. Forks made their way west in 1004 AD when a Byzantine emperor’s niece married the son of the Doge of Venice. She brought a small box of two-pronged golden forks to Italy, which she utilized at her wedding banquet. The Venetians, accustomed to eating with their hands, were aghast. When she died from the plague two years later, Saint Peter Damian declared it was divine retribution.

Despite initial shock and religious condemnation, forks gained popularity across Europe and are now an indispensable part of dining.

The fear or rejection of new things, such as the fork or practices like acupuncture, is often rooted in a psychological condition known as neophobia, the fear of anything new. Here are a few factors that contribute to this:

Fear of the Unknown: New things bring uncertainty, and people fear potential adverse outcomes.

Comfort in Familiarity: Changes, even minor ones, can disrupt this comfort.

Perceived Threat to Tradition or Culture: New things threaten established traditions or cultural norms.

Skepticism Towards Innovation: Are new methods effective? Acupuncture faced resistance due to its roots in traditional Chinese medicine, not Western medicine.

Social and Religious Beliefs: Western Europe considered the fork scandalous, even blasphemous. It was viewed as an unnecessary luxury and an insult to God’s provision.

21st-century research has demonstrated a natural intolerance of uncertainty when adverse outcomes are possible, irrespective of the probability that they might never happen (Carleton, Norton, & Asmundson).

Throughout history, innovation has often incited fear, anxiety, and resistance. Consider inventions like the airplane (“If God intended us to fly, He would have given us wings.”), scissors, the telephone, the radio, electricity, harnessing the atom, Xerox machines, credit cards, personal computers, the Internet, smartphones, etc.

At the start of 2023, AI (artificial intelligence) became widely available and was embraced by early adopters. Others viewed it as an existential threat to humanity (akin to Skynet from the Terminator movies).

Fear of the unknown is often a tragic misunderstanding, resulting in misdirected zealous antipathy.

REFLECT & PRAY

“He died on a cross of wood, BUT He made the hill upon which it stood.”

Father give me the grace to be open and mentally adroit to innovations while I cling to what is good and abhor what is evil.

INSIGHT

One of the greatest tragic misunderstandings of all time involved the dismissal and renunciation of something new, different, unexpected, and perceived as a threat to the well-being of people and the societal, cultural, and religious norms and status quo.

John 1:11 He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.

John 1:11 He came to what was his own, but his own people did not receive him.

John 1:11 He came to his own people, and they rejected him.

These familiar words are simple, yet they are full of layered nuances in Greek that are brought out in many typical English translations. Greek adjectives have unique forms that indicate they are masculine, feminine, or neuter, as well as masculine or plural.

The first Greek word translated as own is ta idia. Ta idia is neuter and plural. It may be appropriately translated as his own things, his own country, or perhaps his own creation or world. The sense goes beyond the obvious and pedestrian to the sublime and prodigious. The apostle John says that the Lord Jesus Christ came into His creation. The world that He made.

John 1:3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.

The second Greek word translated as own is hoi idioi. Hoi idioi ismasculineand plural. It may be appropriately translated as his own people, his own people, or perhaps his own home (John 16:32, John 19:27). What pathos! He came home, and yet His own people did not welcome him (Hendriksen). He was snubbed, shunned, and ostracized by those who should’ve recognized and accepted Him.

His own people did not receive Him. There is a tragic irony here: When the Logos came into the world, He came to His own, ta idia, literally his own things, but his own people, hoi idioi, who should have known and received him, but did not. “It is best taken as a reference to the Jewish people” (UBS).

Goodspeed translates it, “He came to His home, and His own family did not welcome Him.” He came to His own people, the Jewish people, and they did not accept Him. How sad! The long-awaited Messiah was not recognized and acknowledged. It was a deliberate, conscious choice to reject and not welcome Him.

The Greek word translated as receive is parelabon. Parelabon has the sense of receiving something given or offered willingly. John does not say that his own did not know him, but that they did not receive him. Parelabon does not refer to mere recognition but of acceptance and welcome (NET, Notes).

“But the people were so shackled by religious tradition that they could not understand spiritual truth. Jesus came to His own world that He had created, but His own people, Israel, could not understand Him and would not receive Him.”

“They saw His works and heard His words. They observed His perfect life. He gave them every opportunity to grasp the truth, believe, and be saved. Jesus is the way, but they would not walk with Him (John 6:66-71). He is the truth, but they would not believe Him (John 12:37ff). He is the life, and they crucified Him! (Wiersbe).

We often exhibit great zeal and conviction in our suspicions and doubts regarding new things. However, it’s unfortunate that we can also be sincerely wrong. Misguided enthusiasm can lead us significantly off course. Our enthusiasm should be founded on knowledge and understanding, not fear and doubt.

Romans 10:2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.

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Seek the LORD and His strength

Seek the LORD and His strength

Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. – Psalms 105:4

1 Chronicles 16:8-12

8 Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.

9 Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.

10 Exult in his holy name; rejoice you who worship the LORD.

11 Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him.

12 Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given.

Who seeks the God?

The saying “There are no atheists in foxholes” is a commonly used phrase implying that during moments of intense uncertainty, stress, or fear, people often find themselves believing in a higher power. In the real-life scenarios of war, such an abrupt shift in faith is often referred to as a “foxhole conversion.”

Indeed, individuals identifying as atheists, agnostics, and similar beliefs do exist. But why is this the case? The holy scriptures portray a grim image of fallen humanity that has strayed away from the Father.

Psalms 53:2-3

2 God looks down from heaven at the human race to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God.

3 Everyone rejects God; they are all morally corrupt. None of them does what is right, not even one!

What motivates people to pursue God? It’s the Father who initiates. He makes the first move. We seek Him because He first sought us. It is love that makes the difference. The distinguishing factor is love. The Father extends His unconditional agape love towards us, and as we accept His love, we respond with our love for Him.

1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

In Psalms 105:4, the Psalmist is encouraging the readers to seek God’s presence and draw on His strength continually. The phrase look to the Lord suggests reliance on God, especially in times of trouble or uncertainty. It’s a call to trust in God’s power and wisdom rather than our own.

The phrase seek His face always means to strive for a close, personal relationship with the Father and to desire His guidance and fellowship constantly. It underscores the importance of prayer and spiritual connection in maintaining a close relationship with God.

It’s a verse that offers comfort and encouragement, reminding children of the King of the continuous presence and unwavering strength of God.

1 Chronicles 16:11 Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.

The phrase Seek the LORD and His strength encourages believers to look to God for strength, acknowledging that human power is limited and true strength comes from God alone. It’s a call to rely on God’s might and wisdom in all circumstances.

The command to us means to always strive for a deep, personal relationship with the Father. It signifies the desire to get closer to the Father and experience a more profound connection with Him. It involves nurturing an emotional bond with the Father. But it is much more than that. The objective is not merely to seek assistance from God for specific issues or challenges but to foster a continuous awareness of His love and peace at all times.

Knowing about God and knowing God are two entirely different things. Maintaining a close relationship with the Father is sadly infrequent in the Scriptures. Job illustrates the distinction in His encounter.

Job 42:5 I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.

The Bible contains less than a handful of instances where individuals encountered God face-to-face. Moses stands unparalleled among all the Old Testament characters.

Exodus 33:11 Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.

Deuteronomy 34:10 There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.

The Father created humans to have a relationship with Him. Each child of the King knows the Father and has a personal relationship with Him. However, the extent of such knowing varies greatly. It ranges from simple recognition to deep intimacy. Face-to-face knowledge implies recognition and closeness. The bar is set high, an ongoing, active pursuit of God and reliance on His strength in every aspect of life.

REFLECT & PRAY

Each child of the King requires confidence and strength. The Father is our stronghold. He provides all the strength we need. It is incumbent upon us to recognize His omnipotence and place ourselves under His protection. We are to seek His strength. We are to seek His face, His presence forever.

Father thank You for seeking me in order that I might seek You.

INSIGHT

Psalms 105:4 Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him.

Why is awareness of His strength so important? We are fallen creatures with limited physical and spiritual resources. Our spiritual strength and vitality are dependent on His spiritual force and energy. The Father strengthens us by imbuing our spirits with His strength (Spence-Jones). We learn to depend upon His strength rather than our own.

How do we do this?

We choose to surrender our desires and ambitions and conform to His. We align ourselves with Someone greater than ourselves and His Kingdom purposes.

Luke 9:23-24

23 Then he said to the crowd, If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.

24 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

As children of the King, we do not live for ourselves alone. We surrender our lives to Him.

Psalms 105:4 Seek for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek his face.

There are two different Hebrew words translated as seek. The first is darash. Darash has the sense of getting or reaching something one desires,“to seek with care, make supplication with demands and prayers” (Tesh and Zorn). We are to be all in as we search for the Father and His strength.

The second word is baqash. Baqash has a sense of searching for, calling upon, or consulting. It frequently refers to seeking something that is lost, missing, or unknown. Way

Seeking His face implies a sense of neediness and urgency on the part of the seekers. Something is missing, and they must find and enter into it. They are to seek His face and enter into His presence.

Seeking the Lord is not a casual or occasional pursuit. Instead, it is earnest, intentional, and continuous. Seek the LORD and His strength evermore.

How do we seek the Lord, His strength, and His presence?

Read and study the Scriptures. In them, we discover more than God’s nature or purposes. We discover what the Father is like as a person.
Reflection and meditation. We spend time reflecting upon the Word and enjoy His presence.
Prayer and worship. We develop a heartfelt communication with God, expressing gratitude and seeking His face. We acknowledge His goodness and greatness.
Living in accordance with His kingdom standards.
Walking in the spirit and allowing His power and grace to flow through us into the lives of others.

“Seek, seek, seek, we have the word three times, and though the words differ in the Hebrew, the sense is the same. It must be a blessed thing to seek, or we should not be thus stirred up to do so. To seek His face is to desire His presence, His smile, His favor consciously enjoyed. First, we seek him, then His strength, and then His face; from the personal reverence, we pass on to the imparted power, and then to the conscious favor. This seeking must never cease – the more we know, the more we must seek to know” (J. I. Packer).

“Never let the presence of a storm cause you to doubt the presence of God” (Craig Groeschel).

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