Who seek Him with the whole heart!
(Psalms 119:2 NKJV)
You know, this entire series has been a very... inquisitive one, for lack of a better term. Each verse seems to raise new questions to which I have no answer, and so the only place to look for these answers is to God. Before we continue on with Matthew 5:7, I'd just like to mention something to you all. If ever you encounter something in Scripture that seems to defy reason, that just doesn't make sense, or that seems to contradict itself, investigate it; dig a little deeper; ask God. Indeed, "seek Him with your whole heart!"
I'm sure you've heard it said before that God is big enough to be asked the tough questions, and this is absolutely true. In fact, when we do dig deeper and ask these questions, it pleases Him that we are willing to devote the time and energy to seek understanding, honor him with our minds, and spend time with Him. He gave us the ability to reason and learn for a purpose, and what better purpose could we put it to than to seek Him?
"Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?" It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. (1 Kings 3:9-10 ESV)
Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. (Proverbs 2:3-8 NKJV)
As it is said, "Seek and ye shall find." (Matthew 7:7)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 KJV)
God wants us to seek Him and search for His understanding, even if this involves asking the tough, faith-threatening questions. So let's put our trust in Him and be willing to ask these questions, what do you say? It is by this process that we grow in faith and knowledge of God, as well as in closeness with Him. And boy, what an amazing privilege it is to be able to sit down with the Almighty God of the Universe as if in casual conversation and ask Him for understanding and fellowship! I do hope this inspires thankfulness in each of our hearts!
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalms 100:4-5 ESV)
And as one final thought, let's always remember to focus on the epitome of God's Wisdom, His Son:
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1: 22-24)
Blessings,
Andrew
You know, this entire series has been a very... inquisitive one, for lack of a better term. Each verse seems to raise new questions to which I have no answer, and so the only place to look for these answers is to God. Before we continue on with Matthew 5:7, I'd just like to mention something to you all. If ever you encounter something in Scripture that seems to defy reason, that just doesn't make sense, or that seems to contradict itself, investigate it; dig a little deeper; ask God. Indeed, "seek Him with your whole heart!"
I'm sure you've heard it said before that God is big enough to be asked the tough questions, and this is absolutely true. In fact, when we do dig deeper and ask these questions, it pleases Him that we are willing to devote the time and energy to seek understanding, honor him with our minds, and spend time with Him. He gave us the ability to reason and learn for a purpose, and what better purpose could we put it to than to seek Him?
"Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?" It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. (1 Kings 3:9-10 ESV)
Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; He guards the paths of justice, And preserves the way of His saints. (Proverbs 2:3-8 NKJV)
As it is said, "Seek and ye shall find." (Matthew 7:7)
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Matthew 7:7-8 KJV)
God wants us to seek Him and search for His understanding, even if this involves asking the tough, faith-threatening questions. So let's put our trust in Him and be willing to ask these questions, what do you say? It is by this process that we grow in faith and knowledge of God, as well as in closeness with Him. And boy, what an amazing privilege it is to be able to sit down with the Almighty God of the Universe as if in casual conversation and ask Him for understanding and fellowship! I do hope this inspires thankfulness in each of our hearts!
Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalms 100:4-5 ESV)
And as one final thought, let's always remember to focus on the epitome of God's Wisdom, His Son:
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. (1 Corinthians 1: 22-24)
Blessings,
Andrew
