Seek God

Isaiah 29:13 And so the Lord says, "These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote.

Matthew 15:8-9 "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.'"

Seek God. Make Him the focus of your desire, the object of your search. Not for the blessings He gives to us, not for the bread He provides for us, not for the protection He covers us with, but for Himself, our Father in heaven, our Creator, our Lord. The worthy One, deserving of praise, destined to receive homage and honor from all, the Lord of all creation, the Center of the universe -- let Him be the One that your compass points to and that your daily walk draws you near to.

Israel was a nation created by God, chosen by God, delivered by God, directed by God. He performed miracles daily for the people, established righteous laws and leadership, and spoke directly to the populace. In spite of that, so many individuals did not understand what was happening and failed to humble their hearts and give honor to God.

Some people saw no further than their meals for the day. They gathered manna, ignoring God as the provider, and complained that it was boring. When they got their wish for meat, they also reaped the result of not discerning the One they were dishonoring.

Some people saw the power in leadership and struggled to position themselves so people would honor them. They did not see the truth of servant-leadership, they did not recognize God as the head of the nation, and they walked in strife and rebellion before receiving what God used to cleanse the camp.

Some people disregarded the regulations and guidance that God provided, preferring the traditions and behavior of the societies around them, trading with them, making alliances with them. It was only after Eleazar took a spear to one of the Israelites who was oblivious to the crisis facing all the people that the plague was stopped.

Repeatedly, Moses, and then Joshua, had to tell the people to cleanse themselves by getting rid of the idols and household images people would obtain and setup over time lest God break forth on the whole nation when He visited them and walked among them.

We need to regularly, repeatedly, check our hearts, our prayers, our desires, and be sure we are focused on, and giving praise to, the Lord of lords, and not to the daily needs He supplies. Make certain that the God of glory is occupying the throne in the center of our individual lives, and not ourselves, or someone we love more than God.

Let us seek to give the sincerest form of honor and respect, that of imitation, to the Servant-King, who gave Himself for us, and gives us riches untold so that we can serve others in the way He directs, and they need, rather than how we chose. And we do not have to struggle to get the ear of God. We gain His full attention when we give Him our attention. Even when He leads us into troubled waters to deepen our trust in Him, He does not abandon us or leave us to fend for ourselves.

1 Peter 5:6-7 So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

Lord, our desire is to hear You more clearly, to obey You more quickly, to proclaim You more boldly. As we seek Your face rather than just Your hand, as we learn Your ways rather than just Your deeds, let us walk in Your anointing rather than just Your grace.

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