Topical Bible Study: Seeking God

Topical Bible Study: Seeking God

By Rick Arnold

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. – Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)

I. What does it mean to seek God?

1. To search diligently for the presence of God
2. To desire, and to attempt, to make direct contact with God
3. Usually thought of as being done within the mind and heart (Col 3:1-2; 1 Ch 22;19)

II. Why is it necessary to seek God?

1. God is omnipresent so in one sense we are all always in his presence (Ps 139:7-8) but despite this…
2. We are separated from conscious fellowship with God because of the fall of mankind (Eph 2:12)
– God is love and so we know that he was motivated by love when he separated himself from mankind. How could this be? We might start by asking ourselves what the results of a holy God being fully manifest to sinful people would be? After all, our God is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29) and no evil may dwell with him (Ps 5:4). It was no doubt his mercy that caused him to partially hide himself from us and then later come to us in humility (i.e Jesus) so that we might receive his grace and mercy. He has sought us out (Lk 19:10) so that we might seek and find him by grace through faith.
3. God is always with Christians in the sense of covenant faithfulness (Mt 28:20) but…
4. We are encouraged to continuously seek God and his manifest presence (Ps 105:4)
– Even as Christians we can lose the awareness of God’s presence. The awareness of God’s presence is something we must seek to maintain. We must seek after God with our whole heart and he promises that we will find him when we do (Dt 4:29; Pr 8:17; Je 29:13).

III. What are some practical ways in which we seek God?

1. Through prayer (Da 9:3)
2. Through worship (Ps 27:6-8)
3. Through the Word (Ezr 7:10)
4. Through work (1 Ch 22:19)

 IV. What are the obstacles to seeking God?

1. Unrighteousness (Is 59:1-2)
2. Pride (Ps 10:4)
3. Trusting in human resources more than God (Is 31:1; 2 Ch 16:12)
4. Idolatry (Zep 1:4-6)
5. Superficial religion (Is 58:1-9)
6. Eyes on the wrong thing (Col 3:1)
7. Lack of determination to seek until God comes (Ho 10:12)

V. What are the rewards of seeking God?

1. The greatest reward is God himself (Ps 27:4)
– Difference between seeking God’s hand and God’s face (Ps 103:7)
– One thing (Ps 27)
2. It brings us into God’s presence and as a result we have:
– Forgiveness (Is 55:6-7)
– Joy (1 Ch 16:10; Ps 16:11; 40:16)
– Strength (Ps 105:4)
– Peace (Nu 6:24-26)
– Deep satisfaction of soul (Ps 63)
3. It guarantees God’s provision for the necessities of life (Mt 6:33)
4. It provides protection (Ps 27:4-5; 91)
5. It leads to understanding and wisdom (Pr 28:5; Da 2:17-23)
6. It leads to renewed strength (Is 40:30-31)
7. It brings personal revival (Ps 69:32)
8. It brings national revival and healing to our land (2 Ch 7:14)

VI. Examples of those who sought God

1.  Asa (2 Ch 14:7)
2. Jehoshaphat (2 Ch 17:3-4)
3. Uzziah (2 Ch 26:5)
4. Hezekiah (2 Ch 31:21)
5. Josiah (2 Ch 34:3)
6. Ezra (Ezr 7:10)
7. David (Ps 34:4)
8. Daniel (Da 9:3-4)
9. First disciples (Ac 2:1-4)

Bibliography

Manser, Martin H. Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies. London: Martin Manser, 1999.

Torrey, R.A. The New Topical Text Book: A Scriptural Text Book for the Use of Ministers, Teachers, and All Christian Workers. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2001.

Relevant scriptures:

Dt 4:29; 1 Ch 16:10-11; 22:19; 28:9; 2 Ch 7:14; Ps 10:4; 14:2; 24-3-6; 27; 91; 105:4; 119:2; Pr 8:17; Is 55:6-7; Je 29:11-14; Ho 10:12; Mt 6:33; 7:7-8; Ac 15:16-17; Rom 3:11; 10:20; Col 3:1; Heb 11:6