The Pursuit of God

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

It hardly seems possible, but J.I. Packer’s classic work, Knowing God, is about 45 years old, as it was first published in 1973. What a book! It has inspired in many, including myself, the wonder, the glory, and the joy of knowing God. Interestingly, in 2006, Christianity Today voted it in the top 5 books shaping evangelicals.

I can think of nothing more noble than the pursuit of God — knowing Him. I hope it is high on your list of priorities because, “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” [Proverbs 9.10].

As Solomon was about to inherit the throne from his father, David, he received this wise counsel, “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever” [1 Chronicles 28.9].

Jesus went so far as to say that our eternal destiny requires a knowledge of the holy, “And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent” [John 17.3]. Knowing God is eternal life. It begins right here, right now, when we become partakers of His nature through Jesus. 

Is is really possible to know God? Sure! Here is God’s word by the pen of Jeremiah, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” [29.13].

Make the pursuit of God your highest priority. When you do, you’ll be less distracted from other meaningless pursuits that demand your time and energy. More than anything, God wants you to diligently seek to know Him.

More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8