SEEK HIS FACE
1 Chronicles 16:10-11 Glory ye in His holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.
We are called to seek the Lord; yet I want to look specifically at seeking God’s face. I am just like you; I don’t like criticism, but I have learned that even if someone is trying to be awful and not constructive, I have trained myself to see if there is any shred of truth in their critique. Sometimes, people have accused us of only seeking God’s hand, what God has and can give us. I usually respond with, “His hand is open to satisfy every living thing” (Psalm 145:16). Is it true, though, that some people just want the benefits God has to offer without honoring Him, reverencing Him, and truly seeking Him? It is possible. That is why seeking His face is important and why the scripture specifically talks about seeking God’s face.
We find this language in Psalm 24:6, “This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O Jacob.” Psalm 27:8 says, “When you said, seek my face; my heart said unto you, your face, Lord, will I seek.” Why seek His face? Your face is you. When you talk to someone, you don’t want them to look at your feet or, especially if they want something, to look at your hands. You want them to talk to you and look at you eyeball to eyeball or face to face. It is the same thing as saying, “Seek God,” but I think it is specific about seeking His face on purpose.
Not only where we look, but how, with what attitude, we seek God is also important. Deuteronomy 4:29 says to seek Him with all your heart and all your soul. Matthew 6:33 says to seek Him first. Colossians 3:1-2 says that since we have been risen with Christ, to seek those things that are above and to set our affections on Him only. This must all be so important to the Father because of what Hebrews 11:6 says. It says He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. God wants our attention on Him, and not just on what He can do for us and what He has for us. His hand is open to give freely of all that He has. Jesus clearly said that all the Father has is mine, and I give it to you. God is not defiantly withholding anything from us. When we seek Him, we must make sure our love and affection is set on Him, not for what He can do, but for who He is. Who is He? He is Abba, He is the Almighty God, He is amazing!