The Seeking Father

Read: John 4:21-24

When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, LORD, I will seek." --- Psalm 27:8

The Bible In One Year:
John 4-6

When I was a young man, a friend invited me to join him in establishing a "consistent quiet time," as he put it. I knew that regular Bible reading, prayer, and worship were essential, and I wanted to spend time with God. By my friend's plan never worked for me. I would stay with his routine for a week or two, rising early each morning to work my way through a regimen of reading and praying. It was a discipline I imposed on myself --- like doing 50 push-ups every day. But I couldn't sustain the effort. In time I gave up, not knowing how to satisfy my longings to spend time with God.

Then one day I stumbled across something Jesus said to the woman at the well: "The Father is seeking" those who will worship Him "in spirit and truth" [John 4:23]. That's when I realized that God was taking the initiative, putting in my heart those longings for time with Him.

The psalmist said he responded to the Lord's call to "seek My face" [Psalm 27:8]. It's the idea of God longing for fellowship with me that now draws me into His presence. My quiet times with God are no longer a dreary duty, but a response to my Father who yearns to spend time with me.

Do you hear your Father calling to you? --- David Roper

I sought the Lord, and afterward I knew
He moved my soul to seek Him, seeking me;
It was not I that found, O Savior true,
No, I was found of Thee. --- Anon.

TALK WITH GOD --- HE LONGS TO HEAR FROM YOU.