1 Chronicles 16:11 - Seek The Lord, His Presence and Strength, Continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11: Seek The Lord, His Presence and Strength,
Continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11 (NRSV) Seek the LORD and his strength, seek
his presence continually.
1 Chronicles 16:11 (CWR) Seek the Lord and His strength; look to
Him continually.
COMMENTARY PEARL
They start with the hair and general face shape. From there,
police sketch artists focus in on different details of a person's eyes,
lips, nose, and chin. Ever since Scotland Yard first turned a
witness's memory of a suspect into a facial sketch in 1889, forensic
artists (that's the official term) have played an important role in law
enforcement.
According to Guinness World Records, no artist has helped
catch more criminals than Lois Gibson. For more than thirty years,
Gibson has used her artistic talents to help Texas police apprehend
more than 520 criminals and solve over 1,000 crimes. Before teaming
up with the police, Gibson drew portraits of tourists on San
Antonio's River Walk. After moving to Houston, Gibson volunteered to help
draw sketches for the police. Her first two sketches didn't result in
any captures, but her third drawing helped bring a criminal to
justice. Seven years later, she started working full-time for the police,
traveling around Texas and even different parts of the country. Gibson
carries around forty pounds of equipment to do a sketch, including
pastel paints, stencils, and catalogs with pictures of hundreds of
noses, eyes, eyebrows, and lips. Normally, it takes her about an hour
to draw a usable sketch.
Just like a sketch artist puts together details to create an
image of a person's face, the Old Testament provides numerous details
that help us see God's face. God is described as loving, holy,
righteous, wise, and just. He's called the Alpha and Omega, Lord, Savior,
King, Judge, Light, Rock, Redeemer, Shepherd, Creator, and forgiver of
sin. If you put together all of those attributes and titles, what do
you get?
The answer is obvious - Jesus Christ matches the picture.
When you examine Jesus closely, he matches the sketch we see of God
found elsewhere in the Bible. Not only does Jesus say he is God (John
10:30), but through his actions, words, life, and resurrection, he also
proves he is God. As God, he's the ultimate power in the universe.
In 1 Chronicles 16:11 King David says, "Look to the Lord and
his strength; seek his face always." When we seek the Lord's face
with the same attention to detail as a sketch artist, not only will
we find a living, loving God, but we'll also discover a huge source
of strength. [Case For Christ For Kids by Les Strobel]
COMMENTARY
To seek the Lord is to be the constant, continual activity of
life, bringing the seeker ever nearer to the perfection of heaven.
[SDA Commentary]
In order to have what it takes to become Daniel Strong, we
need to continually seek the Lord and his strength. We can seek him
in his Word and in prayer; we can also search for him in the
circumstances of our lives and the people around us. Let's ask him to open our
eyes to all the places where he is at work. Look for the Lord with
the same curiosity and enthusiasm that a child has when searching on
an Easter egg hunt.
God is hiding in plain sight. Where is he at work in your
family? How can you cooperate? Where is he active in your workplace, in
your children's school, among your friends, in your eating plan?
Every time you find him present in another person or place, you'll
gain more strength to do what pleases him.
Search for him like treasure, and he will reward you with the
strength you need.
The Lord rewards those who seek him continually, providing
them with the faith, love, strength, and wisdom they need to have
lives that bless themselves and other people. [The Daniel Plan 365-Day
Devotional]
In my younger years, my priorities were way out of whack. I
thought that if I had a new house or new car or the latest technology, I
would be happy. All I needed was more money, new clothes, expensive
furniture, and life would be rosy.
When I realized that these things brought only temporary
highs, I began to fill the void and stifle my disappointment with
alcohol. That made matters worse, and soon fear and anxiety were chasing
me through life.
God reached out to me. He taught me that only my relationship
with Jesus Christ could fill my empty heart. Only his presence in my
life could relieve my loneliness, fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. He
has made me a better husband, father, grandpa, and leader. God loved
me enough to let me see the futility of my own priorities and the
abundance that comes with his.
When we have had enough of our own ways, he will be faithful
to show us how to live lives that bring real joy and happiness.
Father, I have had enough of my own twisted priorities. Show
me how to live my life in a way that will bring true joy, peace,
and happiness. In Jesus' name, Amen. [Celebrate Recovery Daily
Devotional by John & Johnny Baker re 1Ch. 16:8-12]
As we make Christ our daily companion we shall feel that the
powers of an unseen world are all around us; and by looking unto Jesus
we shall become assimilated to His image. By beholding we become
changed. The character is softened, refined, and ennobled for the
heavenly kingdom. The sure result of our intercourse and fellowship with
our Lord will be to increase piety, purity, and fervor. There will
be a growing intelligence in prayer. We are receiving a divine
education, and this is illustrated in a life of diligence and zeal.
The soul that turns to God for its help, its support, its
power, by daily, earnest prayer, will have noble aspirations, clear
perceptions of truth and duty, lofty purposes of action, and a continual
hungering and thirsting after righteousness. By maintaining a connection
with God, we shall be enabled to diffuse to others, through our
association with them, the light, the peace, the serenity, that rule in our
hearts. The strength acquired in prayer to God, united with persevering
effort in training the mind in thoughtfulness and care-taking, prepares
one for daily duties and keeps the spirit in peace under all
circumstances.
Religion must begin with emptying and purifying the heart,
and must be nurtured by daily prayer. {AG 290}
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
Save your best striving for seeking My face. I am constantly
communicating with you. To find Me and hear My voice, you must seek Me above
all else. Anything that you desire more than Me becomes an idol.
When you are determined to get your own way, you blot Me out of your
consciousness. Instead of single-mindedly pursuing some goal, talk with Me
about it. Let the Light of My Presence shine on this pursuit, so that
you can see it from My perspective. If the goal fits into My plans
for you, I will help you reach it. If it is contrary to My will for
you, I will gradually, change the desire of your heart. Seek Me first
and foremost; then the rest of your life will fall into place, piece
by piece. (1Ch. 16:11; Mat. 6:33) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Concentrate on doing your everyday tasks in awareness of My
Presence with you. The Joy of My Presence will shine on you, as you do
everything for Me. Thus you invite Me into every aspect of your life.
Through collaborating with Me in all things, you allow My Life to merge
with yours. This is the secret not only of joyful living but also of
victorious living. I designed you to depend on Me moment by moment,
recognizing that apart from Me you can do nothing. (Col. 3:23; John 15:5;
Psalm 105:4) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
Look to Me continually for help, comfort, and companionship.
Because I am always by your side, the briefest glance can connect you
with Me. When you look to Me for help, it flows freely from My
Presence. This recognition of your need for Me, in small matters as well
as in large ones, keeps you spiritually alive.
When you need comfort, I love to enfold you in My arms. I
enable you not only to feel comforted but also to be a channel through
whom I comfort others. Thus you are doubly blessed, because a living
channel absorbs some of whatever flows through it.
My constant Companionship is the piece de resistance: the
summit of salvation blessings. No matter what losses you experience in
your life, no one can take away this glorious gift. (Psa. 34:4-6;
105:4; 2Co. 1:3, 4) [Jesus Calling by Sarah Young]
I am richly present in the world around you, in the Word, and
in your heart through My Spirit. Ask Me to open the eyes of your
heart so that you can "see" Me - for I am lovingly present in all your
moments. It's vital to set aside blocks of time for seeking My Face. This
requires sustained mental discipline: pulling your thoughts back from the
idols that entice you and choosing to think about Me. I am the living
Word, so you will find Me vibrantly present when you search for Me in
the Scriptures.
I created breathtaking beauty in the world, to point you to
the One who made everything. Without Me, nothing was made that has
been made. Whenever you are enjoying something beautiful, thank Me.
This pleases Me, and it also increases your pleasure. When you
encounter difficult, ugly things in this broken world, trust Me then too.
Keep looking for Me in the midst of your good times and your hard
times. Find hope and comfort through knowing that all your times are in
My hands. (1Ch. 16:11; John 1:3; Psa. 31:14, 15) [Jesus Always by
Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2012/20120713-1924.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150506-2119.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
