Seek the Lord

Most of the stress and anxiety we face in life is due to dwelling upon the very lengthy list of things beyond our control, while overlooking the great power of the short list of things we can control. Today we are taking a look at one of those valuable items on the short list within the power of each one of us to do: seek the Lord.

Let’s set the tone for the rest of today’s devotional with prayer:
Lord, soften my heart to Your call and draw me near. Help me to hear Your message for me today. When I stray, help me to seek Your will and wisdom to help me repent and return to You. In Your great mercy, please forgive me, Lord. Amen.

Isaiah 55:7 (NLT)
Let the wicked change their ways
   and banish the very thought of doing wrong.

Let them turn to the Lord that He may have mercy on them.
   Yes, turn to our God, for He will forgive generously.

In a world perpetually out of our control, we still have the ability to seek out our Creator at any time we choose. We are all born wicked in the dark, but each with an inner desire to seek the love and light of the Lord. We can do this through reading Scripture, prayer, attending church, and fellowship with others who are also seeking the Lord.

Where are you in this process? What steps have you taken, or could you take, to seek the Lord?

Making the choice to honestly seek the Lord starts a sequence of events that inevitably unfolds as we draw near to His love and light. This is the start of the wicked changing their ways. Truly turning to the Lord reveals our many shortcomings and facilitates in us a desire to repent of our wickedness. In His great grace and mercy, God rewards genuinely repentant, willing seekers with generous forgiveness. This process of giving up your own will to align your life with God’s will is the very basis for a growing relationship with the Lord, in this lifetime and for eternity.

What role has repentance played in your relationship with God? What has repentance done for you?

The powerful act of choosing to seek the Lord sets us upon the path of closer harmony with the plans of the omnipotent Lord of the universe who is actually in control of the factors affecting our lives. By taking control of what we can, we ultimately give to God what we cannot. And oh, what peace results!

Here are some prompts to help us end this time in prayer.
Let Your light, Lord, illuminate my life and help me to repent of my sinful nature…

Help me sort through all that I cannot control Lord, to see the importance of fervently seeking You and Your will for my life….

I sincerely hope you rejoice in this day crafted for you by our Lord.