Living as Children of God -- Seek Him and You Will Find Him!

In 2010 we need to grasp what it is to live as "children of the living God."  We need to live in the reality that God has plans for us.  We need to live in the truth that Jesus loves us.  That is one awesome truth.  But we often take it for granted!

Jesus shows us the love God has for us.  In the Old Testament, Isaiah speaks of that love in Isaiah, chapter 40, verse 11, where he states, " He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."

We see that God purposes to draw His people to Himself, to love them, to cherish them, to remain in close relationship to them. He is not “the God”, some distant creator, but He is the “Lord your God” – a phrase that appears more than 400 times in the ESV.

So if we are in close relationship with the living God, we need never fear evil. We always have a future and a hope, as Jeremiah 29:11-13 proclaims to us – because God controls the future, and He will keep and guard His people.

In light of the relational aspect of shalom, consider verses 12 to 14a. In effect, God here gives His definition of “shalom”, this great wholeness, this complete peace:

12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations

This is a picture of real, personal intimacy. They call, He hears. They seek Him with all their heart, they put Him first - and they find Him.

He opens those doors to us.  He asks us to "Seek me! Trust me! Delight in me!” In the Bible, God shows us that every trial has a purpose, and that God's people can be in relationship with Him no matter what their circumstances might be. These are two precious promises – much more precious than any promise of economic prosperity.

Never forget that Jesus is the prince of peace – the prince of shalom! Isaiah 9:7 says, "Of the increase of his government and of peace (shalom) there will be no end."

Let us seek His face! Let us be His people, then be part of His plan! Delight in Him, and He will fulfill the desires of your heart.  As you do that, God will give you shalom. Let us serve Him in our time here. In reality, we are aliens and strangers here and our hope is not in this world.  But we can make this world a better place by serving Him again in 2010!