Seeking God with All My Heart
March 17, 2019 by James Pence
Filed under Daily Devotions, Personal Growth
By James Pence –
I love the book of Psalms. For many years it has been the centerpiece of my devotional life. A few years ago I decided to take on the challenge of memorizing Psalm 119, the longest psalm in the book. I’m only about fifty verses in, but the richness of this psalm never ceases to amaze me.One phrase that has caught my attention and refused to let go is found in verse 2: “How blessed are those who. . . seek [God] with all their heart” (Psalm 119:2, NET).
I’ve often pondered those words and wondered what it means to seek God with all my heart. Does it mean that I become a monk, isolating myself and praying 24/7? Does it mean that I neglect my family and sit around reading the Bible all day long? Does it mean that I become like Anna the prophetess (Luke 2) and practically live at church?
As I thought about these verses, one day God brought to mind two others that shed some light on what it means to seek God with all my heart.
Paul told the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing” (I Thessalonians 5:17, KJV). We know that he doesn’t mean we are to be on our knees every waking moment. Rather, Paul meant that believers should be in a constant attitude of prayer.
Another helpful statement came from the Lord Jesus. He said that we are to “above all pursue His [God’s] kingdom and righteousness” (Matthew 6:33, NET). In other words, our first priority is to seek or pursue the Kingdom of God.
What, then, does it mean to seek God with all my heart? Putting it simply, it means that He is first. He is my top priority, my greatest desire, my highest joy. He comes first in all I do, say, or think. He governs my decisions, my use of time and money, and all my interpersonal relationships.
It means I am like the man who found a treasure hidden in a field, and who sold all he had to buy that field (Matthew 13:44).
May God grant us all the grace to seek Him with all our hearts today and every day.
AUTHOR QUOTE: Seeking God with all your heart means that He comes first in all you do.
“Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart” (Psalm 119:1-2, KJV).
Today’s devotion is by James H. Pence. James is an author, speaker, singer, and gospel chalk artist, but prefers to be known as a storyteller. To learn more about James and how he draws the stories of your heart, visit his Web site at: www.jamespence.com.
