DEVOTION – DAY 153

Jeremiah 29:13 “Seeking God”

 

Jer.29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah, the prophet wrote a letter to the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Jeremiah wanted the Jews to know that because of their unfaithfulness to God, God had allowed them to be judged by being sent into exile in Babylon. They were to remain there 70 years. After that, God would bring them back to Israel and God declared in Jer.29:11 that He had plans to prosper them and not to harm them and that there would be a future for them. And in v.13, God promised that if His people were to seek them with all their hearts, they would find Him. God makes the same promise to all His children today.

There are Christians who are Christians in name only. They behave like non-Christians. They do not know their Bibles as they do not spend much time reading it. They seldom go to church. They like the idea of being a Christian but they are unwilling to take on the responsibility of living like a Christian. They think obeying what the Bible says is too restricting on their personal freedom. So, such people want to be Christians on their terms, not on God’s terms. We know someone who is just like that. But God knows this man’s heart. So, God allowed something to happen to him. He lost his job and couldn’t find another job. It was God’s way to catch his attention. It caused him to cry out to God for help. I told this man of his need to repent of his ways and to turn back to God. I told him that if he genuinely turned and sought God with all his heart, he would find God. In fact, God has never left his side. What God wanted to see in him is a humble and contrite heart. I asked him if he was willing to do so. I am glad he responded by being willing to confess and repent.

The issue with the Jewish exiles was one of sin. They had gone far away from God and sin became a barrier between them and God. But God did not turn away from the Jews. He reminded them through Jeremiah that if they sought Him with all their heart and repent of their sins, they will find Him. Let us thank God for His grace upon us.

Let us pray: Dear Father, we praise you for you are gracious and merciful. We thank you for your promise that when we seek you with all our hearts, we will find you and you are with us. Please help us to stay close to you always. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. Who are the nominal Christians in your life? Why do you think they are nominal Christians?
  2. What can you do to help such people draw closer to God and to seek Him with all their hearts?
  3. How does Jer.29:11-13 encourage you? Discuss.