Seeking God: A Biblical Perspective on Spiritual Pursuit

Seeking God is a central theme in biblical literature, encompassing a diligent and intentional pursuit of divine presence, understanding, and alignment with God's will. This spiritual pursuit is not merely a passive hope but an active endeavor commanded throughout Scripture ^[1].

The Bible frequently uses the metaphor of "seeking" to describe humanity's relationship with God. This seeking involves various aspects of God's being and character. For instance, believers are exhorted to "seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face continually" ^{[2, 4]}. This implies a desire for God's power and a longing for intimate communion with Him. Other passages call for seeking God's name, His word, His commandments, and His precepts ^[1]. The pursuit extends to seeking His kingdom and His righteousness, as highlighted in Matthew 6:33 ^[1]. Christ himself is also an object of this seeking, as seen in Malachi 3:1 and Luke 2:15-16 ^[1].

The concept of seeking God is often presented as a prerequisite for finding Him. Jeremiah 29:13 states, "And ye shall seek me, and find me," which John Gill interprets as finding a God who hears prayer, grants His presence, and provides grace ^[10]. However, this seeking is not without conditions. Isaiah 55:6 urges, "Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him when He is near" ^[1]. This implies a temporal aspect to God's accessibility, a point emphasized by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, who connect it to the need for immediate repentance and casting oneself on God's mercy ^[9]. The Babylonian Talmud also discusses this verse, noting that while God is always near to a community that calls upon Him, there is a specific time for individuals to seek Him ^[11].

Diligence is a key component of seeking God. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists diligence as a requirement for seeking God, citing 1 Chronicles 22:19 and Hebrews 11:6 ^[5]. This diligence is exemplified by Christ, who rose early to pray (Mark 1:35) and was found in the temple at a young age (Luke 2:49) ^[5]. The pursuit of God requires earnestness, as seen in the call to "search me, God, and know my heart" (Psalm 139:23) ^[3].

The means by which one seeks God are diverse. Prayer is a primary avenue, as demonstrated by Job 8:5 and Daniel 9:3 ^[1]. Seeking God in His house, or temple, is also mentioned in Deuteronomy 12:5 and Psalm 27:4 ^[1]. Access to God, which is essential for seeking Him, is understood to be "of God" (Psalm 65:4) and is made possible "by Christ" (John 14:6, Romans 5:2) and "by the Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 2:18) ^[6]. This access is obtained through faith and follows reconciliation with God ^[6].

Patristic writers like Augustine frequently discussed the nature of seeking God. Augustine, in his Homilies on John, reflects on the divine hymn, "Seek God and your soul shall live," noting that God is both concealed to be sought and infinite when found, thus remaining an object of continuous search ^[8]. He also cites Psalm 105:4, "Seek His face evermore," to underscore the perpetual nature of this pursuit ^[8]. In On the Holy Trinity, Augustine emphasizes that the search for God, specifically the Trinity, is a profound and difficult endeavor that requires steadfast faith ^[13]. He acknowledges that God, though incomprehensible, is always to be sought, and that the heart of those who seek will rejoice ^[15].

The objects of seeking God extend beyond His immediate presence to include His attributes and purposes. Seeking His strength, for instance, is interpreted by John Gill as seeking the ark, a symbol of God's presence and power, and ultimately a type of Christ ^[12]. Seeking God's kingdom, as in Luke 12:31, involves adopting God's value system, pursuing His purpose in the world, and submitting to His authority ^[7]. This implies a comprehensive reorientation of one's life towards divine priorities.

The pursuit of God is not merely an intellectual exercise but a holistic engagement of one's being. Maimonides, in Mishneh Torah, suggests that even the maintenance of physical health should ultimately serve as a means to "reach an awareness of God," indicating that all aspects of life can be directed towards this ultimate goal ^[17]. This perspective aligns with the biblical emphasis on seeking God with one's whole heart and soul.

The spiritual pursuit of God is also linked to the study of Scripture. John Chrysostom, in his Homilies on John, exhorts believers to "Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me" ^[14]. This highlights the role of God's written word as a guide and witness in the quest for divine understanding and life. Charles Hodge further elaborates on the role of God's Word, stating that it provides not only facts about God but also records the legitimate effects of those truths on believers' minds, serving as a standard for inward experience ^[16].

The journey of seeking God is presented as a continuous and lifelong endeavor. The command to "seek his face continually" ^{[2, 4]} underscores the ongoing nature of this spiritual discipline. It is a pursuit that promises not only discovery but also strengthening and joy for those who engage in it ^[15].

Sources

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”
Psalms “Psalms 105:4 (Geneva1599) — Seeke the Lord and his strength: seeke his face continually.”
Psalms “Search me, God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. -- Psalms 139:23”
I Chronicles “I Chronicles 16:11 (Geneva1599) — Seeke the Lord and his strength: seeke his face continually.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
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”
Luke (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Luke 12:31: 12:31 Seek the Kingdom of God: Adopt God’s value system, pursue his purpose in the world, and submit to his authority.”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER XIII. 31, 32 (part 1): 1. Let us give our mind's best attention, and, with the Lord's help, seek after God. The language of the divine hymn is: "Seek God and your soul shall live." (1) Let us search for that which needs to be discovered, and into that which has been discovered. He whom we need to discover is concealed, in order to be sought after; and when found, is infinite, in order still to be the object of our search. Hence it is elsewhere said, "Seek His face evermore." (2) For He satisfies the seeker to the utmost of his capacity; and m”
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).”
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”
Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Yevamot 105a.17: Rather, one must say as follows: From where is it derived that even when a community’s sentence is sealed, it may be torn up as a result of repentance, as it is stated: “For what great nation is there, that has God so close unto them, as the Lord our God is whenever we call upon Him?” (Deuteronomy 4:7). The Gemara objects: But isn’t it written in another verse: “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him when He is near ” (Isaiah 55:6), implying that God is not always near and may not always answer whenever we call upon Him? The Gemara answers: This ”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 105:4: Seek the Lord and his strength,.... The ark, which is called his strength, and the ark of his strength, Psa 78:61, because he had shown his great strength by it, in dividing the waters at Jordan, throwing down the walls of Jericho, and plaguing the Philistines because of it, when among them. This was a symbol of God's presence, before which he was sought by his people; and was a type of our Lord Jesus, the man of God's right hand, whom he has made strong for himself, and who is called his strength, Psa 80:18. Some render it, and which Aben Ezra makes mention of, thou”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 1.--IN WHAT WAY WE MUSTINQUIRE CONCERNING THE TRINITY. (part 1): 1. WE certainly seek a trinity,--not any trinity, but that Trinity which is God, and the true and supreme and only God. Let my hearers then wait, for we are still seeking. And no one justly finds fault with such a search, if at least he who seeks that which either to know or to utter is most difficult, is steadfast in the faith. But whosoever either sees or teaches better, finds fault quickly and justly with any one who confidently affirms concerning it. "Seek God," he says, "a”
CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on John & Hebrews: Homily XLI. John v. 39, 40 “Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me that ye might have [eternal 1126 1126 not in G. T. ] life.” [1.] Beloved , let us make great account of spiritual things, and not think that it is sufficient for us to salvation to pursue them anyhow. For if in things of this life a man can gain no great profit if he conduct them in an indifferent and chance way, much more will this be the case in spiritual things, since these require yet gre”
Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 3: Augustine — On the Holy Trinity — CHAP. 2.--GOD, ALTHOUGH INCOMPREHENSIBLE, IS EVER TO BE SOUGHT. THE TRACES OF THE TRINITY ARE NOT VAINLY SOUGHT IN THE CREATURE. (part 1): 2. For God Himself, whom we seek, will, as I hope, help our labors, that they may not be unfruitful, and that we may understand how it is said in the holy Psalm, "Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and be strengthened: seek His face evermore."(3) For that which is always being sought seems as though it were never found; and how then will the heart of them that seek rejoice, and not”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, section 9: by God in His Word ( 1 Cor. ii. 10-16 ). It is not, therefore, a revelation of new truths, but an illumination of the mind, so that it apprehends the truth, excellence, and glory of things already revealed. And second, 16 This experience is depicted in the Word of God. The Bible gives us not only the facts concerning God, and Christ, ourselves, and our relations to our Maker and Redeemer, but also records the legitimate effects of those truths on the minds of believers. So that we cannot appeal to our own feelings or inward experience, as ”
Mishneh Torah (Maimonides) (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Mishneh Torah (Maimonides), Mishneh Torah%2C Human Dispositions 3:3: A person who accustoms himself to live by [the rules of] medicine does not follow a proper path if his sole intention is that his entire body and limbs be healthy 1 The Rambam puts the maintenance of health mentioned in the previous halachah into proper perspective. It is not to be pursued as a goal in its own right. Rather, it should be appreciated as merely a means to enable one to reach an awareness of God. The Rambam develops this idea at length in Shemoneh Perakim Chapter 5. There, he states: A person should have the int”

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