What, Who and Why – seek the Lord?

Before we try to address the question, ‘Why do we need to seek the LORD?’, let’s first answer the question as to ‘What it means to seek the LORD?‘ Wesley’s commentary suggests that to seek the LORD is to labor to get the knowledge of God’s will but I am convinced that the best definition to seeking the LORD is found in the Bible itself, in the testimony that God gives of David i.e., to be after God’s own heart. David sought the LORD, which is, He desired to know what was in God’s own heart.

Now with this knowledge of what it means to seek the LORD, the next appropriate question that surfaces is ‘Why do we need to seek the LORD?‘ Have you ever dreamed of having good things in your life? Wonder why you don’t understand all the things that affect your life and wish that you did? Ever wished that the evil (addictions) that easily besets you no longer holds you captive? Have you wondered how you can find God? Well these are all questions, I have personally had to answer and interestingly the answer to all of these questions seem to point to one counsel that we find in the Bible and that is ‘Seek the LORD’.

When we seek the Lord –

1. We will not have the want of any good thing (Psalm 34:10 – The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.)
2. We will have understanding (Proverbs 28:5 – Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things.)
3. We will no longer be held captive by sin or its addictions (2 Chronicles 12:14 – And he [Rehoboam – Solomon’s son] did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.)
4. We shall find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29 – But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.)

Now if that has not given us enough reasons to seek the LORD, how about this one to convince us. We should be put to death! Yes, that is Biblical and absolutely correct. 2 Chronicles 15:13 explicitly articulates that whosoever would not seek the LORD God [of Israel] should be put to death, whether small or great (a.k.a. irrespective of status), whether man or woman (a.k.a. all created in God’s image). This also answers the question as to ‘Who should seek the Lord?‘.

Imagine that you lived in the times of the Chronicles when such an edict (really more of a death sentence) was in effect. Thankfully, we are not subject to what would seem as such a harsh commandment, but we must be careful to recognize that the same principle applies even in our lives today. In the words of the herdsman prophet from Tekoa, he said the same thing but in a more positive and euphemistic way when he said ‘Seek the LORD, and ye shall live‘ (Amos 5:6)

So why must we seek the LORD? Because, it is a matter of life and death. The choice however is yours … what do you choose this day?

Can God tell of you and me, that we sought after his own heart? Think about that!

2 Chronicles 15:13 (KJV)
¹³ That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

Amos 5:6 (KJV)
⁶ Seek the LORD, and ye shall live;