Sermon # 10 - Reward For Those Who Seek God Series

We read in Genesis 12:4, “When Abram was seventy-five years old, he started out from Haran, as the LORD had told him to do; and Lot went with him.” (GNB)

Abram was seventy five years old, when he ventured out on the journey that God asked him to undertake. Generally, people at that age will want to retire, but Abram commenced on this journey, because he was seeking after God. Abram wanted to perceive who this Almighty God was who had created this amazing world, and all that is in it. Also he probably wanted to know why God created him, and the purpose for his existence. It was also possible that Abram was not satisfied with the gods that the people in his country worshipped, and was looking for the true God.

Many people are so caught up in this pursuit for money, position, popularity and are therefore unable to seek after God. There is also much disparity in the way we treat those who are rich and those who are poor. People have so many unanswered questions, and all of these will find answers only when one seeks and finds the one true living God.

David encourages Solomon to seek after God

These are the words of King David to his son Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:9 …for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you. (AFV)

David was a simple shepherd boy, when God chose him, anointed him, and made him King over Israel. King David was sharing his experiences with his son Solomon. He reminded Solomon that the Almighty God who searches the hearts of all men was fully aware of all their thoughts and imaginations. He admonished Solomon to seek after such a God.

To the one who seeks after God, they will find prosperity, blessings, raise, and every good thing.

How do we seek after God?

We read in Jeremiah 29:13, “You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” (ERV)

We must seek God with our whole heart. If you are wondering what it means to seek God with all our heart, let me explain it with an example. Sometimes, we may misplace some things at home, and if we ask our children to search for it, you may have noticed that in a matter of few minutes they are very prompt to inform us that they were unable to find it. Nonetheless, when they misplace their toys or something important to them, they will search hard to make sure that they find it. The reason for this is that their heart is not set on the former request from the parent, and so they are doing an arbitrary search, with no true desire to find it. On the other hand, they searched hard to find the thing they lost because it was close to their heart. So also to seek God means to deliberately and intentionally inquire after Him with all our heart.

There are those who pursue after God, only when they are in a critical situation, and there is no other hope for them. Oftentimes, when the doctors give up hope, many people will turn to God in desperation as their last resort. When there is a need, people realize that there is only so much a man can do, and hence turn to God in those hopeless times.

Abram searched for God, when everything was going good for him, because he realized that there was a creator God who was sovereign and behind all that was seen. It was because of this searching that God met Abram and spoke to him, and called him out.

Faith alone pleases God

We read in Hebrews 11:6, “Without faith no one can please God. Whoever comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who sincerely try to find him.” (ERV)

As we look at the word ‘faith’ in the above mentioned verse, we realize that we all have faith. When we board a bus for instance, we have faith that the bus will take us to our desired destination. We will never board that bus if we did not have faith in it. So also, we put our faith in the driver of the bus. None of us will go to the driver and check if he has a valid license to drive the vehicle. Totally trusting the bus and the driver, we purchase our ticket and get into the bus.

So also, when we go to a medical doctor, we do not check his credentials, but rather go to him with our ailments and by faith also take the medication that is prescribed to us. Therefore, it is impossible for us as human beings to continue on this earth without exercising our faith in various things or people on a daily basis.