Topic: Seek God, Not His Gifts [RICK WARREN Devotional 20 August 2021]
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Seek God, Not His Gifts
BY RICK WARREN — AUGUST 20, 2021315Shares
“The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.”
Psalm 14:2 (NIV)Millions of Christians spend all their time seeking what God has to give them and no time seeking God himself.
When you’re praying for healing and restoration, it’s okay to want a miracle. But, ultimately, it should be God himself you seek—not a miracle, a sign, prosperity, or a thousand other gifts of God. Your prayer should be: “God, I want you. I want to know you.” When you seek God, you get everything else.
God gives many promises in the Bible about those who seek him:
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face . . . then I will hear from heaven” (2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV).
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me” (Proverbs 8:17 NIV).
“Anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV).
“If from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul . . . For the LORD your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you” (Deuteronomy 4:29-31 NIV).
Seek God, not just his blessing. That means that, whether or not you get the answer you want, you’ll find joy in knowing God better. Whether or not you get what you think is best for you, you’ll be satisfied with what God thinks is best for you. When you’re going through a divorce or a miscarriage or a layoff, seek God—even more than your deliverance from your pain.
This is not a casual pastime. Don’t seek God in your spare moments, after you’re done with work or as you’re scrolling social media. Make getting to know God better the primary focus of your life.
“The LORD looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God” (Psalm 14:2 NIV).
It’s rare to find someone who’s earnest about seeking God. Most of us want just enough of God to bless us, but not to change us.
You don’t become an Olympic athlete in your spare time. In the same way, you don’t become a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ by giving him your leftovers. Give him your first and best, and he will keep every promise.
- In what ways have you been giving God your leftovers when it comes to taking steps to spiritual growth?
- What does it mean practically to seek God? What are the things you can do every day to show God that, more than anything, you want to know him better?
- How can you start your prayers so that you thank God first for who he is and not just what he has given you? Why is that important?