“God looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.” (Psalm 53:2 NIV)
God sees all. God knows all. God loves all.
God’s sovereignty is hard to understand. He sees the effort we make, no matter how tiny. He’s looking for those who try, and He rewards their effort.
Grey’s Anatomy is one of my favorite medical shows. Inevitably, a storyline exists in which the patient’s family is waiting for signs of life. Hours, days, even weeks will pass as they wait for movement. Sometimes, the symbol of life is a finger that taps the bed or a small nod of the head. Whatever the indication, it is always slight and barely noticeable. But someone notices. The battle to live won for the moment.
God notices our slightest effort.
Some days, our slightest effort is getting out of bed. God rewards our struggle with the energy to keep going. As much as I love God, some days are more challenging than others. My “seeking” of God is in the simple prayer, “God, get me out of bed.” Sometimes, the world is so overwhelming, so saddening, the thought of facing another day is the mountain we have to climb. COVID, riots, death, suffering, the world is an ugly place. Add that level of reality to our stressful personal lives; staying in bed seems like a good option. However, God gave us each a light to shine. We can’t shine our lights from bed.
All God asks is that you try.
Try seeking and understanding God today in your life. Ask the questions that help gain understanding:
- Why does God want me to forgive?
- How can God love everyone?
- Why does He place such an emphasis on sexual relationships?
- Why did Jesus have to die?
The list of questions is endless. Ask them. Seek answers in God’s word. Talk to people who follow Christ, ask them their stories. Listen as they explain the steps of faith that have led them where they are today.
On the topic of sex, I decided to seek God. Why did God not want me to have premarital sex? Quickly answered with the first guy I dated. God was protecting me. The guy, a man I met in church, was having multiple sexual relationships with different women. When I refused to sleep with him, the truth came out. Praise God. His Word prevented me from making the same mistake again.
After God answers one of your questions, ask another.
Twenty years later, I’m still asking questions. If we open ourselves up to learning what God has for us in this life, we’ll always have more questions. God’s word has the answers. As we apply it to our lives, our understanding of God deepens.
Seek. Ask. Apply. Understand.
Question of the Day:
What question do you want to ask God today?
Further Reading: Isaiah 3-5 NIV, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15 NIV, Psalm 53 NIV, Proverbs 22:28-29 NIV
