Time with Jesus - Saturday, 25 February
2012
Hi all,
Back
in 1966, The Kinks recorded a song which was a parody of the shopping trends in
London. A couple of us may remember it. It was called, “A Dedicated Follower of
Fashion.” The lyrics were not Christian, but they were not obscene or smutty. A
couple of lines of the song were: They seek him
here, they seek him there; in Regent Street and Leicester Square. The
connection is the promise of God that we will find Him if we look for Him
wholeheartedly. 11 For I know the plans
I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for
disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for Me
wholeheartedly, you will find Me. Jer 29:11-13 NLT
The
exiles in Babylon were greatly encouraged by this. Much of the religious
thinking of the day was that the gods were all localised. In the Israeli
context it would mean that they were now under the control of some local deity.
So for them to hear that God intended to take them home some 70 years later
helped them enormously. It also indicated that God’s authority went beyond
Israel’s borders. This would be a new thought for the nations in those days.
For
me there is one word that needs emphasising. That word is “wholeheartedly”.
It’s a magnificent truth to know that wherever we are, we will find Him. It’s
as true today as it was in ±560BC. If we seek for Him
by faith, wholeheartedly He assures us we will find Him.
To
seek God wholeheartedly is the opposite of indifference or being lukewarm. In
Revelation we are told His reaction to lukewarmness. 15 I know what you have done, that you are neither cold nor
hot. I wish you were cold or hot. 16 But
since you are lukewarm and not hot or cold, I'm going to spit you out of my
mouth. Rev 3:15-16 GW
If
I may be permitted to paraphrase Jesus Christ’s words: “Lukewarmness
makes me sick enough to vomit!” What do we do with this sort of
statement by Jesus written to Christian believers? If nothing else, it
encourages me to seek Him by faith with all my heart. As mentioned recently,
fear of the Lord has all but vanished from much of the body of Christ. Have you
checked your temperature with God lately? If not, this is a good time to do so.
Today’s
meditation takes a look at searching for God
Blessings
Jim & Phyllida Strickland
Looking for God
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I wanted to find Jesus, so I looked everywhere,
I tried behind the sofa and underneath my chair.
I wandered round the bathroom; the bedroom and the “loo”.
But sadly, couldn’t find Him, no matter what I’d do.
I looked around the garden and tried the cabbage patch;
But everything I spotted, could never ever match,
Creation’s great designer. He just could not be found.
I was so disappointed, I tried to look around,
Alternative locations. The library, the stores,
The Anglican cathedral, beneath its “sacred” floors.
Eventually I realised the problem was with me.
I never would locate Him; my search should never be,
Confined to a location. The focus was too small,
To look in a locality for Him Who’s all in all.
Job had the self-same problem, back in antiquity.
He wanted to explain to God his little tragedy.
He thought that if he found Him, that he could make it clear,
That he had been mistreated. If only He could hear,
And give him His attention; He’d sort the whole thing out.
And put things back together, of that he had no doubt.
Down throughout the ages, mankind has thought the same.
Perhaps the Lord Almighty had changed address and Name?
Perhaps He was on holiday? But this they knew for sure.
That He had all the answers and also knew the cure.
But they had missed the reason, why He could not be found.
They thought that they were innocent and if God was around,
To try their little problem in the courts of heaven above.
That He would find them innocent; and they just needed love!
The truth is, if we seek Him by faith wholeheartedly,
Our search would be successful as sure as sure can be.
For God is never hidden. No! He is all around!
He promised, if we seek Him, He surely will be found.
We needn’t go to Bethlehem, Jerusalem or Rome.
He’s right where He is needed. He’s made our heart His home.
He’s said He’ll never leave us. So why is it we hunt?
He will not hide behind us; He’s always way up front!
There is no need for stumbling, complaining He has gone.
He won’t walk off and leave us alone to carry on.
He’s also told us clearly, He will not let us down.
Albeit we are living in the country or in town.
We know the Holy Spirit our comforter and guide,
Is busily preparing us to be His Holy Bride.
Jim Strickland – Written Saturday, 25 February 2012
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