Purposefully Searching with Intent to Find

1 Chronicles 16:10-11  Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

            When you hear the word cancer or any other devastating medical diagnosis; rejoice is not a word that enters your mind. When your children are grown and leave the nest, or when they make choices from which you wish you could spare them the results; rejoice is not a word that enters your mind. When you lose a friendship or times when you feel alone; rejoice is not a word that enters your mind. When your spouse or beloved family member dies; rejoice is not a word that enters your mind. So what are we to do?

            I think the key to this passage can be found in the word seek (e.g., purposefully searching with intent to find). Sometimes when our pathway seems obscured by the challenges, concerns, and uncertainties of each day; it takes purposefully opening the pages of our Bible and seeking the LORD through prayer and conversation with our Heavenly Father to bring the kind of peace and strength we need to navigate the day. Make no mistake, the Lord is there, he has not abandoned you; he is always nearby and never more than a whispered prayer away. Yet sometimes—many times—it takes effort on our part to stop; slow down; and realize that he is aware of our situation and he is ready to bring the comfort we need. It is in the peace, strength, comfort, and closeness of our Heavenly Father that we are able to rejoice in times of difficult circumstances. Our hearts are not glad because we have the problem; our hearts are glad because we have a Savior who can guide us through those problems, and in Him we find our joy.

Gracious Heavenly Father,

            Thank you for your faithful presence. Forgive us when we fail to seek you first. Help us to find joy—not in our circumstances—but in the comfort, peace, and strength that only you can provide.

            In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, Amen.

 

The devotional Purposefully Searching with Intent to Find appeared first on Write From My Heart at writefrommyheartblog.blogspot.com

email: Dotty Willmon, writefrommyheartblog@gmail.com