"Rewarded With God's Presence" by Jess Hall

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6, NIV)

-        “Ekzeteo”: I seek out, require (the outcome intensely and personally desired by the seeker)

CEB – try to find Him

CEV – searches for Him

KJV – diligently seek Him

TLB – sincerely look for Him

NCV – truly want to find Him

STEP 1: Believe that God exists.

STEP 2: Seek Him.

Most of us will say “yes” to step one. Box checked off. Done.

And then we get to step two… We think we can say “yes, done” here also because we go to church and pray before every meal and at bedtime. But, lets honestly pause and take a minute to think about this step. Do we earnestly, diligently, and sincerely look for Him? Truly want to find Him? Spend quality time with Him?

Or, do we rush in and out of His Presence, making our requests, but not staying around to listen to what He has to say.

“His Presence is free, but His heart will cost you time and effort.” (Dutch Sheets)

God wants us to earnestly seek Him. To intensely and persentantly desire to be with Him. Spending time with Him, learning who He is.

Making our requests and sharing our hearts. Praising Him. Thanking Him. And taking the time to be still with Him, listening for Him.

-        He will instruct us and teach us the way to go.

-        He will comfort us in all our troubles.

-        He will remind us of His love.

-        He will strengthen us with His truth.

King David was called “a man after God’s own heart,” because he took the time to be in God’s Presence. He opened his heart to his Heavenly Father – truthfully sharing every struggle, fear, weakness, and joy – and he took the time to look and listen for God’s response.

“…in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3)

He not only sat in God’s Presence, but he also searched for God’s heart. Desiring God’s heart to become his own.

“Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long.” (Psalm 25:4-5)

When we follow King David’s example here, we will be rewarded. Not with fame and fortune. Not with beautiful hair and perfect skin. Not with a wonderful family and a great job. God will reward us when we faithfully seek Him by finding Him.

“…seek and you will find…” (Matthew 7:7, NIV)