Finding Peace in Difficult Circumstances through Seeking God

Seeking God is presented in biblical texts as a path to peace, particularly in times of difficulty. This pursuit involves various spiritual disciplines and a particular orientation of the heart, with the understanding that God is accessible to those who earnestly seek Him ^{[13, 15]}.

The concept of "seeking God" encompasses a range of actions and attitudes. It is commanded in scripture, as seen in Isaiah 55:6, which urges, "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near" ^{[4, 14]}. Jesus also encouraged this pursuit, stating, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7) ^[4]. This seeking is not a vague endeavor but involves specific aspects of God and His will. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, it includes seeking God's name, His word, His face, and His strength ^[4]. It also extends to seeking His commandments, precepts, kingdom, and righteousness ^[4]. The pursuit of Christ Himself is also considered part of seeking God, as is the honor that comes from Him, justification by Christ, and the eternal city God has prepared ^[4].

Biblical figures often sought God in their distress. The Psalmist, for instance, recounts, "In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn’t get tired. My soul refused to be comforted" (Psalm 77:2) ^[2]. This passage illustrates a persistent, even desperate, search for divine solace when earthly comfort was insufficient. Similarly, David, in Psalm 27:7, expresses his desire for God's presence and instruction, viewing God as his "greatest good" even amidst enemies and challenging circumstances ^{[11, 16]}. He prays for mercy and an answer, believing that God will graciously respond to his earnest cry ^[16].

The act of seeking God is often linked to prayer and supplication. Daniel, for example, "set his face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications" (Daniel 9:3) ^[12]. This indicates a deliberate and focused effort to communicate with God, often involving setting aside specific time for this purpose ^[12]. The Torrey's Topical Textbook also lists prayer as a primary means of seeking God ^[4]. This includes praying for God's consideration of one's troubles, for His presence and support, for divine comfort, and for deliverance from sin and affliction ^[6].

Access to God, which is fundamental to seeking Him, is understood to be a divine gift, originating from God Himself ^[5]. This access is primarily mediated through Christ, who is described as the way to the Father (John 14:6) ^[5]. The Holy Spirit also plays a crucial role in facilitating this access (Ephesians 2:18) ^[5]. Faith is presented as the means by which this access is obtained (Romans 5:2), and it follows reconciliation with God (Colossians 1:21-22) ^[5]. This access is a privilege for believers, allowing them to approach God with confidence to obtain mercy and grace (Hebrews 4:16) ^[5].

The pursuit of God is not merely an intellectual exercise but involves a deep, internal commitment. Zephaniah 2:3 encourages "all you quiet ones of the earth, who have done what is right in his eyes" to "make search for righteousness and a quiet heart," suggesting that an upright life and a humble spirit are conducive to finding God ^[1]. The Psalmist also prays, "Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts" (Psalm 139:23), indicating a desire for God to examine and purify the inner self ^[3]. This internal seeking is further emphasized by the idea that one must seek God "with all their heart and with all their soul" to find Him ^[15]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that this implies seeking God sincerely and affectionately ^[15].

The outcome of seeking God is often described as finding Him, which brings with it various blessings. Jeremiah 29:13 promises, "And ye shall seek me, and find me," implying that earnest seekers will indeed encounter God's presence and receive His favor ^[13]. Gill interprets this as finding God to be "a God hearing and answering prayer; a God in Christ; bestowing favours upon them; granting them his presence; indulging them in communion with him; and favouring them with fresh supplies of his grace" ^[13]. This finding is contingent on seeking Him in Christ, under the Spirit's guidance, with faith and fervency ^[13].

The happiness and peace experienced by believers in this life are often attributed to their relationship with God. Psalm 73:25-26 states that the believer's happiness is "in God" ^[7]. This happiness is derived from fearing God, trusting in Him, obeying His commands, and having hope in Him ^[7]. The words of Christ and the hope of glory also contribute to this happiness ^[7]. Even divine chastening is seen as a source of happiness for saints ^[7]. The name "Shelemiah," meaning "God is my perfection; my happiness; my peace," further illustrates the ancient understanding of God as the ultimate source of well-being ^[9]. Similarly, "Uel" means "desiring God," reflecting a fundamental human inclination towards the divine ^[8].

In difficult circumstances, seeking God can involve a process of self-examination and reflection on one's ways. John Gill, commenting on Lamentations 3:36, suggests that instead of murmuring, one should "search and try our ways" to find support and comfort ^[10]. This includes searching into the love of God, the covenant of grace, and the Scriptures for guidance and assurance ^[10]. This introspective search, coupled with outward acts of seeking, helps individuals navigate affliction by grounding themselves in God's unchanging character and promises ^[10].

The call to seek God is not without a sense of urgency. The prophet Isaiah emphasizes seeking God "while He is to be found" and calling upon Him "while He is near" ^[14]. This implies a limited window of opportunity, urging immediate action ^[14]. The nearness of God signifies His propitiousness and readiness to respond to those who call upon Him ^[14]. This immediate and earnest seeking is presented as a condition for obtaining spiritual benefits ^[14].

Sources

Zephaniah “Zephaniah 2:3 (BBE) — Make search for the Lord, all you quiet ones of the earth, who have done what is right in his eyes; make search for righteousness and a quiet heart: it may be that you will be safely covered in the day of the Lord's wrath.”
Psalms “In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn’t get tired. My soul refused to be comforted. -- Psalms 77:2”
Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Seeking God — Commanded -- Isa 55:6; Mt 7:7. Includes seeking His Name. -- Ps 83:16. His word. -- Isa 34:16. His face. -- Ps 27:8; 105:4. His strength. -- 1Ch 16:11; Ps 105:4. His commandments. -- 1Ch 28:8; Mal 2:7. His precepts. -- Ps 119:45,94. His kingdom. -- Mt 6:33; Lu 12:31. His righteousness. -- Mt 6:33. Christ. -- Mal 3:1; Lu 2:15,16. Honour which comes from him. -- Joh 5:44. Justification by Christ. -- Ga 2:16,17. The city which God has prepared. -- Heb 11:10,16; 13:14. By prayer -- Job 8:5; Da 9:3. In his house -- De 12:5; Ps 27:4. Should be Immediate. -- H”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Happiness of Saints In This Life — Is in God -- Ps 73:25,26. Only found in the ways of wisdom -- Pr 3:17,18. Described by Christ in the beatitudes -- Mt 5:3-12. Is derived from Fear of God. -- Ps 128:1,2; Pr 28:14. Trust in God. -- Pr 16:20; Php 4:6,7. The words of Christ. -- Joh 17:13. Obedience to God. -- Ps 40:8; Joh 13:17. Salvation. -- De 33:29; Isa 12:2,3. Hope in the Lord. -- Ps 146:5. Hope of glory. -- Ro 5:2. God being their Lord. -- Ps 144:15. God being their help. -- Ps 146:5. Praising God. -- Ps 135:3. Their mutual love. -- Ps 133:1. Divine chastening. --”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Uel — desiring God”
Hitchcock's Bible Names “Hitchcock's Bible Names: Shelemiah — God is my perfection; my happiness; my peace”
Lamentations (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Lamentations 3:36: Let us search and try our ways,.... stead of murmuring and complaining, let us search for something that may support and comfort, teach and instruct, under afflictive providences; let us search into the love of God, which, though it cannot be fully searched out, it will be found to be from everlasting to everlasting; and that all afflictions spring from it; and that it continues notwithstanding them: let us search into the covenant of grace, in which provision is made for afflictions in case of disobedience, and for supports under them: let us search the Scriptu”
Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 27:7: 27:7-12 The psalmist requests the Lord’s mercy, presence, and instruction. God is the psalmist’s greatest good; enemies and other circumstances are peripheral. 27:7-8 Unlike the wicked (10:4), who only want a temporary advantage (78:34-36), the godly search for the Lord as a thirsty person searches for water in the desert (63:1; 105:4; 119:2, 10; Matt 6:33). They act wisely (Ps 34:10, 14) while waiting for the Lord to resolve their crisis (34:4; 69:6; 77:2; 119:58).”
Daniel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Daniel 9:3: And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications,.... He set apart some time on purpose for this service, distinct from his usual stated times of prayer, as well as from his civil business and employment; and he not only set his face toward Jerusalem, as he used to do, Dan 6:10, the more to affect his mind with the desolations the city and temple lay in; but towards the Lord God, the sovereign Lord of all, who does according to his will in heaven and in earth, the Governor of the universe, the one true God, Father, Son, and Spirit: and this deno”
Jeremiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Jeremiah 29:13: And ye shall seek me, and find me,.... When persons seek the Lord aright, they always find him; a God hearing prayer; a God in Christ; bestowing favours upon them; granting them his presence; indulging them in communion with him; and favouring them with fresh supplies of his grace, and everything needful for them; every mercy, temporal and spiritual; that is, when they seek him in Christ, who is the only way to the Father, under the guidance and influence of the blessed Spirit; in the exercise of faith upon him and his promises; with fervency of spirit and ardour o”
Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 55:6: The condition and limit in the obtaining of the spiritual benefits (Isa 55:1-3): (1) Seek the Lord. (2) Seek Him while He is to be found (Isa 65:1; Psa 32:6; Mat 25:1-13; Joh 7:34; Joh 8:21; Co2 6:2; Heb 2:3; Heb 3:13, Heb 3:15). call--casting yourselves wholly on His mercy (Rom 10:13). Stronger than "seek"; so "near" is more positive than "while He may be found" (Rom 10:8-9). near--propitious (Psa 34:18; Psa 145:18).”
Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 4:29: But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God,.... By prayer and supplication, acknowledging and confessing sin, and desiring that God would be gracious and forgive it, and bring them out of their miserable condition; even if out of those depths of affliction and distress, and though scattered about in the world, and in the uttermost parts of it: thou shalt find him; to be a God hearing and answering prayer, gracious and merciful, ready to help and deliver: if they seek him with all their heart and with all their soul; sincerely and affectionately.”
Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 27:7: David in these verses expresses, I. His desire towards God, in many petitions. If he cannot now go up to the house of the Lord, yet, wherever he is, he can find a way to the throne of grace by prayer. 1. He humbly bespeaks, because he firmly believes he shall have, a gracious audience: "Hear, O Lord, when I cry, not only with my heart, but, as one in earnest, with my voice too." He bespeaks also an answer of peace, which he expects, not from his own merit, but God's goodness: Have mercy upon me, and answer me, Psa 27:7. If we pray and believe, God will graciously ”

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