“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.”
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
What does that mean? To diligently seek God?
Diligently seeking God definitely includes setting aside all the sin that does so easily beset you.
But in terms that are easily understood and applied, reading our Bible daily is also how we diligently seek God. By hiding the word in our heart so that we might not sin against God. (Psalms 119:11 KJV)
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:”
(2 Timothy 3:16 KJV) Reading God’s Word will help us to find Him, and to learn how to be more like Him. This also will help us when we pray.
Praying to God is another way we diligently seek God. When we speak to God, He will talk back to us. 1 Kings 19:12 describes God’s voice as a “still small voice.” When you read God’s Word you can hear Him speak to you clearer, because you are familiar with the way He speaks. When we hear God’s voice we have to have a willing heart like Samuel when He says, “Speak; for thy servant hearteth”. We also have to be obedient to the instructions that He gives or hearing God will only serve frustrate us.
Lastly, “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”
Matthew 17:20-21 KJV
Fasting is self discipline and subjecting our flesh to God. There are levels of faith that we won’t have access to unless we are fasting and praying.
My pastor said something that really hit home for me during Sunday morning worship, “Your outcome is not evidence of your victory, your faith is.”
Our test and trials come to make us strong in faith, in courage, and in trust of God.
The fact that every tribulation we endure brings us closer to our Father is part of our reward. Each day with Jesus being sweeter than the day before is part of our reward.
Diligently seeking God is finding new ways every day to fall deeper in love and fellowship with Him.
Everything else will be fringe benefits.
Also, it is good to note that rewards come in many forms. Mental health, peace, freedom, confidence, healing, and sometimes it’s even in the form of an increase in your finances, but God rewards us according to His will. Exceedingly and abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,” (Ephesians 3:20 KJV) That power being our faith and the Holy Ghost
This is why Matthew 6:33 is so essential, because the moment we take our eyes off of the prize, is the moment we fall.
When we say we trust God and give give our lives over to Him, yet we refuse to put ourselves in the place where we can hear Him clearly, or we decide not to be obedient when He speaks, we haven’t truly surrendered to Him. We aren’t being diligent in seeking God.
I know, I know, relinquishing control is so hard, but daily we can give Him a little bit more until it comes just as easy as breathing.
The God guarantee is this,
When you diligently seek the Father, He will never leave you, He will never forsake you, and He will always have your back.
There’s a secular saying that death is the only guarantee and that may be true.
But God guarantees eternal life, and that’s a guarantee I can live with.
