‘Seek me and live; do not seek Bethel, do not go to Gilgal, do not journey to Beersheba. For Gilgal will surely go into exile, and Bethel will be reduced to nothing.’ (vv4–5) Amos 5:4–5
What makes for the good life? There are many recipes on offer. Background, peer pressure and, increasingly, the media play a significant part in shaping our opinion. It takes a self-assured individual to stand their ground on things they believe to be best for their lives in the face of noisy opposition.
I best demonstrate what’s good for me through the choices I take in practising that good. It takes courage and confidence to face criticism and perhaps be in the minority. Jesus demonstrates the way we can do this with His life of grace and kindness.
God’s promise is that in seeking Him we shall find life (Prov. 8:17). Israel’s Old Testament history reveals a people who were invited frequently to seek and serve God.
Yet, even those places where God was manifest were emptied of God’s glory through disobedience and neglect. Whilst, the people followed their religious observances much as their ancestors had, all they held onto were rules of ritual devoid of God’s presence.
It’s so easy to lose hold of God in life or to lose confidence in God’s love and commitment to us. Each new day demands that we seek God afresh. It is only by seeking God that we can find Him. God invites us to search for Him, whilst promising He can always be found.
There’s a danger that we assume we have all the time in the world; but will we use that time well or simply fritter it away? Let’s not get distracted, but positively seek God every day.
SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Deut. 4:15–31; 1 Chron. 16:7–14; Matt. 6:19–24; Luke 11:5–13.
AN ACTION TO TAKE: Opening Scripture and praying offers us a reminder that our life is directed towards seeking God. Start each day with a prayer renewing your commitment to seek God.
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, thank You that each day presents a fresh opportunity to go in search of You. I choose to seize that opportunity today. Amen.’
Photo by Marko Milivojevic on Pixnio.com
