What Does It Mean To Seek God?
Seeking God is an important part of many people’s spiritual journeys. It involves actively pursuing a relationship with the divine through prayer, study, and living according to God’s will.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Seeking God means making an effort to know, love and obey God, drawing nearer to Him through spiritual practices like prayer, studying scripture, and living according to His will.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the meaning behind seeking God in detail, including the biblical call to seek God, the mindset and motivation behind seeking Him, and practical tips for how to actively seek God in your daily life.
The Biblical Call to Seek God
Old Testament Calls to Seek God
The Old Testament contains many passages that exhort people to seek God. Here are some key examples:
- In 1 Chronicles 16:11, King David urges the people, “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.” This shows seeking God should be a continual, ongoing pursuit.
- The prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6). Isaiah encouraged prompt action in seeking God.
- God Himself told Israel, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). Wholehearted seeking is required to find God.
- In Hosea 10:12, God told Israel to “break up your unplowed ground” and “Seek the Lord until he comes and showers righteousness on you.” Israel needed deep repentance and persistent seeking.
These and other Old Testament verses reveal that seeking God involves things like: looking to Him for strength, continually pursuing Him, calling on Him, turning away from sin, and passionately yearning for Him. When the people obeyed these calls, God blessed them richly.
New Testament Calls to Seek God
The New Testament also contains exhortations and examples regarding seeking God:
- Jesus said “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Putting God first should be believers’ priority.
- Jesus told people to “ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7). Diligently pursuing God in prayer leads to blessings.
- The resurrected Jesus told His followers, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:46-48).
Repentance and seeking forgiveness are key in the gospel message.
- After his conversion, Paul immediately “spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God” (Acts 9:19-20). Paul earnestly sought to know and make known the Son of God.
As in the Old Testament, seeking God in the New Testament involves pursuing Him diligently, making Him top priority, praying persistently, repenting thoroughly, and proclaiming the gospel boldly. When done according to God’s Word, seeking Him leads to amazing blessings!
What’s the Motivation Behind Seeking God?
Out of Love
Many people seek God simply out of a profound love for Him. They want an intimate relationship with their Creator. As one worship song puts it, they want to sit at His feet and gaze at His beauty. Out of this love flows a desire to know God more deeply and to live in a way that brings joy to His heart.
For a Relationship
Beyond just admiring God from afar, most people who seek God do so because they want a real, personal relationship with Him. They want to communicate with God through prayer and study of Scripture, to hear His voice guiding them, and to see His hand at work in their lives.
Having an interactive, dynamic relationship with their Maker fills an empty space in their souls.
For Guidance and Wisdom
Life presents many challenges that we cannot face alone, which is why countless people turn to God for wisdom and direction. They believe He sees the big picture and knows what is best for them, so they want to understand His will.
As one Bible verse says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). People seek God for advice on relationships, careers, major decisions, and more.
How to Develop a Mindset for Seeking God
With Humility
Seeking God requires cultivating humility and recognizing our dependence on Him. We must admit our limitations, imperfections, and need for God’s wisdom and grace. As 1 Peter 5:5-6 reminds us, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Praying with humility opens our hearts to receive and obey God’s guidance. We lay down our pride and agenda to prioritize God’s will above our own.
With Persistence
Seeking God demands persistence and consistency. We will face distractions, busyness, hardships, and periods of spiritual dryness. But as Jesus emphasizes in Luke 11:5-10, we must continually ask, seek, and knock with boldness and faith.
Pursuing God requires making our relationship with Him a priority each day through prayer, studying Scripture, fasting, etc. It means clinging to God and crying out to Him, especially when we cannot sense His presence.
Just as we develop meaningful relationships with others through regular connection, we must persistently seek God to grow in intimacy with Him.
With Obedience
Seeking God goes hand-in-hand with obeying God. As Jesus declares in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commands.” To truly know God’s heart and develop a close relationship with Him, we must submit to His will and align our lives with His word.
This requires sensitively listening for His guidance with a willingness to obey. Even when God’s commands feel challenging or uncomfortable, we can trust His ways are always best. Seeking God demands surrendering our will and agendas to His perfect, loving purposes.
Practical Tips for Seeking God Every Day
Pray Regularly
Establishing a regular prayer life is essential for seeking God. Set aside time each day to speak with Him, whether it’s first thing in the morning, over your lunch break, or before bed. conversational rather than formulaic – just talk to God like you would a friend.
Be honest about your struggles and ask for His wisdom and guidance. Consistency is key – make prayer a daily habit.
Read and Study Scripture
God reveals Himself to us through His word, so reading the Bible is critical for getting to know Him better. Set a goal to read a chapter a day, or go through a devotional plan. Highlight verses that stand out and meditate on their meaning.
Consider studying scripture in a small group to gain new insights. The more time you spend in the word, the more your heart and mind will be renewed and transformed. As the psalmist said, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Psalm 119:11).
Participate in Church and Christian Community
Fellowship with other believers provides invaluable support and accountability in your walk with God. Attend church regularly for worship, teaching, and community. Join a small group or Bible study for discussion and prayer. Christian friendship helps us grow in faith and avoid isolation.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another” (Hebrews 10:24-25a).
Express Worship Through Song
Singing spiritual songs and hymns is a powerful way to connect with God. As Ephesians 5:19 says, “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.” Let worship music, both old and new, fill your heart and home. Listen to it as you drive. Sing along at church.
Learn to play worship songs on an instrument. Let the lyrics remind you of God’s truths and soak your spirit in His presence. Uplifting praise and worship elevates our focus and aligns our hearts with His.
Serve Others
Nothing draws us closer to God’s heart than caring for others in His name. Jesus said, “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Look for ways to practice generosity, meet needs, and share Christ’s love through deed and word.
Volunteer with a ministry or non-profit. Mentor a young person. Visit those who are sick or imprisoned. By serving as the hands and feet of Jesus, we honor Him and grow in His character.
Conclusion
Seeking God is a lifelong journey of pursuing an intimate relationship with Him through spiritual practices. It begins with the motivation to know and love God, followed by cultivating a mindset of humility, persistence and obedience.
Daily habits like prayer, Bible study, Christian fellowship and worship keep us actively connected to God every day. While the specifics may look different for each person, the heart behind seeking God remains the same – to draw nearer to Him and live fully in His will and purpose for our lives.
