You are in Pursuit of What?

After God had delivered Israel from Egypt, Moses asked God to personally lead Israel. God agreed because Moses found favor in God’s sight. Then, almost as a childlike request, Moses blurted out, “I pray You, show me Your glory!” In other words, Moses asked to see God face to face. (Exodus 33:12-20)

Abraham was called an “alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob.” He was faithful to God because “he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” (Hebrews 11:8-10)

David was chosen by God to be king over Israel after Saul. God declared His reason for choosing David: “The Lord has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart….” (1 Samuel 13:14)

Not only was David in pursuit of God so he could be like God, he wrote, “One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.” (Psalm 27:4-6)

Jesus and his disciples stayed in the home of Martha. “She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. But Martha was distracted with all her preparations….” (Luke 10:38-40)

Peter kept his eyes focused upward “looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13)

The Apostle Paul revealed his inner desire “that I may know Him [Christ] and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10-11)

I find it illuminating that none of these people of faith expressed a desire to be reunited with a family member in the afterlife or sit and converse with Noah or quiz God. None of them brought the things of God down to man’s plane of existence. They all reached upward to God, upward to Christ. In one way or another they all revealed their pursuit of the divine.

What about you??

Men and women of true faith had their gaze set on God. They looked forward to heavenly things. Those who had the privilege of being part of the new covenant had their eyes fixed on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of faith.” (Hebrews 12:2)

These people were not concerned about their retirement. They didn’t focus on their houses and property and possessions. As much as they loved their family members, they understood the temporal nature of this life, including family.

They were not like Lot’s wife who could not bear leaving her home of Sodom and was compelled to look back when it was destroyed. The promise of an eternal city captured their imaginations. With unwavering faith they endured hardship. They accepted injustices from those who could not understand their faith. Death was understood to be a necessary doorway passing from this life to eternity.

The Apostle John was given a view of the eternal city of God. It is immense in size offering shelter and all the necessities of life. God is the light. There is the river of life (water) and the fruit-bearing tree of life (food). All will wear clean robes. In the afterlife true LIFE is found.

What are you pursuing??

Mark Stinnett

August 20, 2023