I recently reached the anniversary of the first time I walked away from a stable job and a decent salary. It was many years ago, and led to me living by faith for my income for the following seven years.
Next month will see the anniversary of the second time I have taken such a step. This occasion was much more recent, only two years ago, and is how I currently live – with my ministry generating a small amount of income, and the rest of it coming in by faith. (See here for more.)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, having both these anniversaries within a month of each other, I’ve found myself pausing to reflect on the many and varied ways in which God has provided for my needs – and the challenge that this regularly raises between us!
“Are you seeking my hand?” he often asks me, “Or are you seeking first my face?”
So I thought it might be helpful for me to share how I try to respond – in this, my ‘thought for the month’ for July.
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When we have a problem that requires a solution, or a need that must be met, we generally seek assistance from someone who can help us. For example, when my bathroom tap starts leaking, I call the plumber to come and repair it. When a warning light comes on in the car, I take it to the garage for the mechanic to fix it. When I get a toothache, I go to the dentist to get it treated.
In each of these scenarios, I know that the person, whose assistance I am seeking, is going to be able to help me.
But with God, it doesn’t work like this. He does things differently.
He doesn’t want us to seek first his hand. He doesn’t want us to seek first what he can give us, or do for us. He doesn’t want us to seek first his help or assistance, his healing or comfort, his provision or protection.
Rather, he wants us to seek first his face. He wants us to seek first to know him, to love him, to adore him. He wants us to seek first to be in relationship with him – close friends, rather than casual acquaintances.
It’s a challenge that can be found throughout the Old Testament, and it’s succinctly set out in 1 Chronicles 16:11, “Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always”, and Psalm 105:4, “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”
Of equal challenge is our response – with God’s desire being that we will echo the cry of Psalm 27:8, “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.”
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The Hebrew word for ‘face’ comes from a root word that means ‘to turn, appear and look’. It implies that being face-to-face with God signifies a place of deep intimacy.
For some of us, we can relate to this concept. For others of us, it’s something with which we struggle. Either way, the challenge remains:
Are we seeking God because we love and adore him? Are we seeking God because we long to hang out in his presence, simply spending time with him? Are we seeking God because we feel safe, secure and held when we are with him? Are we seeking first his face?
Or are we seeking God because we want him to work a miracle for us? Are we seeking God because we want him to give us something that we need? Are we seeking God because we want him to do something for us? Are we seeking first his hand?
God wants us to know him – not just know about him.
He wants us to focus first on him. Him as Giver – not the gift. Him as Friend – not the friendship. Him as Healer – not the healing. Him as Protector – not the protection. Him as Provider – not the provision. Him as Saviour – not the salvation. Him as Creator – not the creation.
He wants us to seek first his face – and to allow his hand to follow.
He wants us to say, “My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8)
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What experience do you have of seeking first God’s face, rather than his hand? How easy or difficult do you find it? What practical suggestions do you have for others, about how to do it well?
As ever, constructive comments are welcome below.
Please note: This is my ‘thought for the month’ reflection for July. (You can find all my ‘thought for the month’ reflections here.)
Photo by Valeria Rodrigues via Pixabay
4 Comments
This was very apt for me this morning. There have been many times in my life when I’ve struggled to find the level of intimacy that I desire with Jesus. And sometimes, fearing that I want him simply for what he can give me, rather than for who he is, can be one of the drawbacks. When my dad was very ill and I was helping to care for him during his last days, Jesus really spoke to me about this through a song by Natalie Grant called ‘More than Anything’.
Thanks for commenting, Alex. I think you’ve summed up the tension well. It really isn’t easy to get the balance right.
I find that it is often difficult to seek God for His face alone, especially in the midst of a difficult time. I am presently having to find new accommodation as my landlord wants to sell the property I live in. I know that the Lord has something in mind for me and I am attempting to rest in Him, awaiting His time, but it is very difficult. However, I have grown closer to Him during this time of waiting and have had some wonderful times just resting in His presence and not worrying about the future. This does not happen every day but when it does I feel so invigorated, loved and special, and I find myself looking forward to the next time it happens.
I’m so sorry to hear this, about your housing situation, Esther. I hope that you soon find somewhere else suitable to live – or that your landlord changes his mind about selling the property. Either way, I’m glad to hear that you’ve had some wonderful times of resting in God’s presence, and I pray that this continues for you.