
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13
Children and adults alike enjoy stories involving hidden treasure, such as Aladdin. Those who are seeking the treasure, whether they have good or evil intentions, put tremendous effort into hunting for it. The greater the treasure, the greater the effort.
Today’s verse offers an invitation to the greatest treasure hunt of all time. God promises that if you seek Him, you will find Him when you search for Him with all your heart. This suggests an investment of effort. This is not to be confused with good works mistakenly done to try to earn salvation, since salvation comes by grace. The encouragement is to make seeking God your top priority. Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).
Methods of seeking God include prayer, praise, fasting, Bible study, and becoming an active participant in the body of believers. 2 Kings 20 tells the story of King Hezekiah, who grew ill to the point of death. The prophet Isaiah came to him, stating, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die; you shall not recover’.” Hezekiah wept as he prayed to the Lord, saying, “Now, O Lord, please remember how I have walked before you in faithfulness and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in your sight.” Before Isaiah had left the palace, the Lord directed the prophet to return to the king and tell him, “Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father: I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you.”
God calls His people to seek Him in their lives and decision-making. Ask the Lord for help in the circumstances that have caused you to despair and for His guidance in the choices you make today. Pray also for wisdom for government officials who are addressing the issues of concern in the United States.
You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
5 And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? 8 I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; 12 or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.