There were so many games I loved playing as a kid when I lived on Undercliff Road in Millburn, New Jersey. A middle-class neighborhood that had lots of youngsters who also eagerly played outdoor games.
Across the street were a couple of brothers who I mainly lost to at many, many games of Monopoly. But I loved having my Black Racer at work building houses and hotels only to be wiped out in bankruptcy. Oy vey, already!
At another neighbor's house, I learned to play Bridge. Always terrible at that card game, especially when I poked and prodded more fun out of bidding and trumping than working a necessary winning competition. Why was I such an unpopular partner? Hmm!
Not-It, Hop-Scotch, and Hide-and-Seek always busied our good-weather days. Yes, I hid; and yes, they sought me; and yes, I was found. Sorry to disappoint you! I have great memories growing up in that neighborhood.
If you dare to read through 2 Chronicles chapters 14-16, you'll discover something amazing about our Lord. Nine times in those three chapters it mentions seeking God and finding Him. He's not hiding. He's there to be found if sought. There's the catch. You must seek Him.
The word 'seek' in biblical Hebrew means to repeatedly study and read about. To discuss, consult, and inquire. But there's more--put what you've found into action. Not just study for study's sake, but be a dynamic disciple of Jesus. Not a know-it-all, but someone displaying follow-through. Be AOK--an Action-Oriented Kind.
Here are a few examples from 2 Chronicles. 'If you seek him, he will be found by you' (2 Chr. 15: 2). '...but when in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, he was found by them' (2 Chr. 15: 4). 'And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers...' (2 Chr. 15: 12). That's only chapter 15. There's more in the next two. Check them out.
What's my point? That amazement I referenced earlier? Something about God that you could write home about. That's off the chart. Well, here goes. The Lord offers His help to you and me. The care and love of God Almighty. To His own. His hands outstretched toward us. That's almost too much to comprehend when you think about it. Way over the top. Too good to be true? Not on your life. After all, that's His promise. And He means it.
What's my usual reaction when up against something rough and tough? As if stumped, with my head in the clouds, I rely on my own little grey cells. I'll figure it out. Leave it to me. Mr. Wisenheimer has his hands on the throttle.
And then, when all else fails, I begin to pray, when it seems like last and somewhat least. Begging God's help. But at least now I'm seeking Him. Does He dust me off His shoes, so to speak? Snub me? Tit for tat? He could. Maybe He should. Has every right. Yet thankfully, He doesn't. For when we seek Him, He's there to be found. For He means it.
I know His heart is for me to come to Him with whatever as soon as possible. No holds barred. Could He make it any plainer?
Seek Him. Throw out the dragnet in His direction. Have a seat at His table. Draw your chair up next to Jesus. But don't bargain with God or hassle and haggle with Him. This is no Middle Eastern marketplace. When you seek Him, leave His answers, what God decides, squarely in His hands. That's the hard part for me. And I mean it.
My goal this week? To quickly seek my Lord Jesus. I'll not stop there. I'll continue for the weeks and months ahead. Wait a moment. Take the next seven days first of all, and then we'll see how long-lasting my resolve becomes. No bets, please. After all, let's see how you'll do. If you mean it.
Lord Jesus, thank you for always being there for me. Amen.
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