We go after something with a hope it can be obtained. We circle the parking lot trying to find the spot nearest the door. We train for a marathon to cross the finish line. We go after things that we think are able to be found.
The quest for God is embarked by those who believe there is a God. Unless we believe there is a God, we would not seek Him. (Psalm 14) We would not go after, continually resort to, or look for God unless we thought He could be found.
Following are 26 scriptures describing for us a biblical perspective of how to seek God. We’ll call these the ABCs of Seeking God.
A – ALWAYS
All of one’s life, forever, and continually seek the Lord.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” Psalm 105:4
B – BOLDLY
Courageously and daringly go after God, His presence, and His answers to your deepest concerns.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
C – CALLING OUT
Speak out loud to God, calling out to know Him, to honor Him, and to understand Him. He will in no wise leave you out but will reveal Himself to you.
“If you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding”
Proverbs 2:3-6
D – DILIGENTLY
Attentive, persistent looking for and hastening after God will have an end result of finding Him.
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.” Proverbs 8:17
E – EARNESTLY
Having a sense of serious importance is essential in our quest for God. Searching for God is as serious as looking for water in the desert when your water container is empty. It is the next absolutely necessary activity on the “to do” list.
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” Psalm 63:1
F – FIRST
Another way to consider “first” is in respect to priority. God, His way of doing things, and His approval should be the dominate factor in all our pursuits. We should search out God’s ways first and foremost.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
G – GLADLY
Delight in the journey of seeking after God. Know that God is the only One who can truly make your heart sing. Consider the search for God a pleasure with each step of the way.
“But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, ‘Great is the Lord!'” Psalm 40:16
H – HUMBLY
God gives His benevolent care and help to those who look for Him because they need Him. God doesn’t want anyone to come to Him who presents themselves as self-sufficient. God wants everyone to come to Him because they need His help, provision, and eternal care. God is looking for those on His doorstep who are there because they want to do things His way . . .not because they have everything figured out for themselves.
“Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the Lord.” Zephaniah 2:3
I – INQUISITIVELY
Eagerly go after God in a chase to track Him down. Don’t let Him get out of your sight. Ask at every point possible where He can be found. Then go there to find Him. Don’t waste any time, don’t delay, go immediately to investigate His exact whereabouts.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:6
J – JOYFULLY
Knowing abundance of joy is your destination creates happy anticipation as you trek every possible terrain on this journey. Keeping the search going in joyful expectation of the glorious moment when prevailing joy is reality. Understanding the path’s ups and downs is required as the way to God is revealed step by step.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalm 16:11
K – KEENLY
Strongly go after God. When you ask for Him, look for Him, and persist in finding Him; you will locate Him. Use great mental strain and effort to pinpoint God’s presence.
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
L – LIVELY
Robustly go after God and His ways. Vigorously search for God so that you will not be faint or without hope or help. Know God will stimulate you and refresh your spirit.
“When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek God, let your hearts revive.” Psalm 69:32
M – MEEKLY
Another word for “afflicted” is meek or lowly. It is the one who knows their need and seeks the One who can meet their need that will be content and happy. The needy bless the Lord and are happy in the God who meets their needs.
“The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied; those who seek him shall praise the Lord! May your hearts live forever!” Psalm 22:26
N – NAMELY
Identify yourself with the name of God. Be known in “oneness” with the reputation of the Lord. Go after God by being conformed to Him and His image.
“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
O – OPENLY
Make room to receive God. Give yourself “white space” in your life to be open to God, listening for Him, following after Him, and allowing Him to fill you with His fullness.
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12
P – PURPOSEFULLY
Determine to search for God in a purposeful way. Know God desires for you to find Him and go after Him because He has a specific purpose for you. Choose to go after Him with a hearing of the call He has sent out for your good.
“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
Q – QUESTFULLY
Search for God in a manner that requires attainment of Him. Do not slack up on the determination to go after God. Know He will be found by you as you endeavor after Him with all your might.
“But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29
R – REGULARLY
Frequently and faithfully go after God. Look for His presence and power in every area of your life. Do nothing in your own strength or power. Instead routinely look for God’s presence to strengthen you.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” Psalm 105:4
S – SEARCHINGLY
Hunt and pursue God as much as a you look for a valuable item that is lost. Do all you can, put in the extra effort, turn on the light, and explore thoroughly until you find Him. Don’t quit until He’s found by you.
“What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?” Luke 15:8
T – TRUSTFULLY
Be confident God will make Himself available for you to find Him. Trust Him and His reputation to reveal Himself to you. Expect He will be near to you.
“And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
U – UNDERSTANDINGLY
Accept God for who He is. Do not expect God to change to your liking. Perceive God’s character, commands, and ways in order to conform to His standard.
“Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.” Proverbs 28:5
V – VALIANTLY
Be fearless in your quest for God. His protection will surround you. You have nothing to be anxious about when you seek the Lord. God will rescue you from all your fears.
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4
W – WHOLEHEARTEDLY
With no hesitation or division, go after God. He will make Himself available to you, visible to you, and able to be known by you when you are undivided in your pursuit of Him.
“You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13
X – (E)XUBERANTLY
Enthusiastically go after God with a knowledge He will meet all your needs. Anything good you need will be provided to you. This gives a fantastic reason to seek God with all the energy you can muster.
“The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” Psalm 34:10
Y – YIELDED
Allow yourself to be found by God. Go after Him, know He’s looking for you to come to Him. He wants you to need His way of Salvation. Yield to God to save you because you need to be saved.
“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10
Z – ZEALOUSLY
Passionately go after the Lord. Know He wants you. Know He wants to bless you. Know He wants to provide for you abundantly. Know He invites you to come to Him and His presence.
“You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” Psalm 27:8
Written By: Anne Gurley
