My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. – Psa. 27:8
Today’s one of those days when I begin my devotional time expecting to meet Jesus. I expect to meet him every day, but on days like today, when a storm looms on the horizon and everything has been done that can be done to buckle down and prepare for it, all I have left is to come as close to him as I can and take shelter in his promises.
I open my bible and read the daily passage, looking for anything that speaks directly to my fears, my circumstances, my heart today. Although his messages and reminders are sweet, strengthening and encouraging, today I am not satisfied. Today I need more. I need to come closer, listen to him longer, so I open and read through some passages of my favorite daily devotions, Streams in the Desert by Cowman, Utmost for his Highest by Oswald Chambers, Voices in the Past by Richard Rushing.
Days and moments when my heart grabs hold of the first verse my eyes and finger tips fall upon are rare and sweet. I love mornings when I open my bible and immediately find my Savior waiting for me in our designated location within my daily reading schedule. But many times when I don’t see him, when I my heart needs to hear his voice and feel his comfort regarding a specific concern he did not address, I go looking for him. I will keep reading. I will go to all my favorite spots in Psalms and see if his living presence is among the verses. I will go to my favorite advisors in the devotionals and ask them, “Have you seen the one my heart loves?” (Song of Songs 3:3-4) I search until I find him. I read the bible, I read my favorite devotionals, I listen to my favorite pastors, sermons, books on podcast until I hear him address my heart’s concern specifically and my heart becomes quiet before him, enjoying the peace that can only be found in his assuring presence and comforting words.
Many approach the bible waiting for God to approach them. God so often does initiate, speaking to them where ever He may find them looking and waiting for him where they know him to be found. But I would encourage you, on days when Christ seems to be hidden, days when you need him most. Days when you just want to hear his voice and feel his loving touch. Days when you can’t find him in that particular days passage, or in the days devotional…. go and search him out until you find him. Search for him as you love him, with all your heart, all your mind and all your strength. For our Lord promises, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” and “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” (Jer. 29:13, Prov. 8:17) Instead of approaching your daily devotional time with a quick glance for his appearance…wait for him, go in search for him. Approach your devotional time as one with a staunch determination and a steadfast heart to find him and hear from him, declaring as Jacob, “I will not let you go until you bless me.” (Gen. 32:26)
