Is it Still Wise to Seek Him?
As I reflect over many years of sending and receiving Christmas cards, I realize that I often saw a Christmas card with some form of the above image on it. These images usually caused me to ponder not only the truth in this statement, but the immeasurable value of actually pausing from the business of life to spend time ‘seeking Him’.
In the midst of the 2020 year, with all of its difficulties of health threats, natural calamities, civil and cultural unrest, and reports of evil deeds, there is no shortage of people confused, frustrated, and deeply concerned or angered about what is going on. I regularly hear from brothers and sisters in Christ, co-workers, neighbors and MCS students and families that they fear for their future. Many wonder who is in control.
If you find yourself described in the above paragraph, then this just might be the best time ever to be like the wise men who, many years ago, set out on a long journey to “seek Him”.
In our Bible, Matthew 2: 1&2 tells us, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’”
The scriptures do not tell us the extent of their understanding about Jesus’ identity, or the reason why they followed the star. However, it is very clear that they wanted to worship this new king - King Jesus.
Could it be that “seeking Him (Jesus)” could be the most wonderful and valuable journey I could take? Could it be that, regardless of my personal circumstances, now is the best time to start that journey? Could it even be that the truly wise person should daily seek Him?
Let’s consider some possible further benefits of this journey:
If you do not know Jesus, seeking, finding and accepting Him will result in your salvation, both for now and for eternity (John 3:16; Acts 4:12; 1 Thess. 5:9; Titus 2:11; Heb 2:3).
If you know Jesus but are worried about your future, seeking Him could bring you peace (Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 6:25-34).
If you know Jesus but are confused about this crazy world, seeking Him could bring you purpose (Prov. 3:5; Psalm 143:8; James 1:2-5; 1 Corinthians 14:33; 2 Corinthians 10:5).
If you know Jesus but are struggling to make ends meet, seeking Him could bring you provision (Genesis 22: 1-14 – Abraham called God “Jehovah Jireh”).
If you know Jesus but are sick or afflicted, seeking Him could bring you healing (Matthew 4:23; 9:18-33; John 6:2; 9:1-7; Acts 10:38).
If you know Jesus but are overwhelmed with COVID-19 and all of its impact on you and your world, seeking Him could reveal to you that God is in control (Proverbs 16:9; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 29:11; Matthew 19:26; Romans 8:28; 1 Cor. 10:13).
This list could go on and on with the value of seeking, knowing and worshiping Him, who is Jesus, LORD, Jahweh, I AM! As the great evangelist, Billy Graham, preached many times saying, “On that first Christmas night in Bethlehem, ‘God was manifested in the flesh’ (1 Timothy 3:16). This manifestation was in the person of Jesus Christ coming in the form of a newborn Babe. The Scripture says concerning Christ, ‘In Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily’”(Colossians 2:9).
There is no doubt in my mind that I need to continue being like the Wise Men of long ago and still seek Him, worship Him and abide in Him - My Savior, My Lord, My God.
What say you?