Diligently Seeking The Lord

 Diligently Seeking The Lord

Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

The word for “diligently seek” means: to search out, i.e. (figuratively) investigate, crave, demand, (by Hebraism) worship.

 

Crave? Don’t you wish we all had the driving desire to be close to the Lord Jesus Christ, insomuch that we persevere and choose to do so, that we intensely yearn to diligently seek Him on a day to day basis; yeah, even on a moment by moment basis?

 

This pursuit is something I fail at so often, yet something I should always strive for! Oh, to be so close to the Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour, that nothing else matters - none of the trials or troubles we face, none of the glitter and pomp of this world, none of the prestige and honour the people of our society so desperately seek. 

 

Oh to be like Mary of Bethany, the sister of Lazarus and Martha. Every time we see her, all three times, she has willingly chosen to be at the feet of Jesus!

 

1) Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

 

Sitting at the feet of her Saviour, eager to learn from Him.

 

2) After her brother Lazarus died and she heard that Jesus was now by her brother’s tomb, she quickly went out to meet Him there.

 

John 11:31-32 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

 

Both Mary and Martha believed Jesus had the power to heal Lazarus, that He could have prevented their brother from dying, but also knew He was the Messiah who would one day raise up those believers who put their faith in Him. Though surrounded by friends and associates which sought to offer comfort to her in her grief, yet it was the solace of her Saviour she so willingly sought - it was Jesus she wanted to be with in her time of sorrow.

 

3) John 12:1-3 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment.

 

The third time we see Mary, she is at the feet of Jesus, worshipping and anointing Him for His coming burial.

 

After this event and even for the remainder of their lives, I wonder if those present associated the pleasant odour of this ointment with the presence of Jesus, with the blessed reminder of all that Jesus did for them when He went to the cross and shed His blood for their sins? Food for thought.

 

Song of Songs 1:3 Because of the savour of thy good ointments thy name is as ointment poured forth, therefore do the virgins love thee.

 

When Bible believers think of Mary, the sister of Lazarus and Martha, they are reminded of her devotion and closeness with the Saviour. It was evident in her life and reflected in her actions that all those around her could see.

 

2 Corinthians 2:14-17 Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

 

When people look at how you live - when they hear the words you speak, observe your attitude and demeanor, and see your day to day activities - is it obvious to them that you are diligently seeking the Lord, that you crave to walk closer with Him, that He alone is the one you worship?

 

Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

 

September 9th, 2021

Jerry Bouey