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Seeking God’s Strength and Presence

Luke 10:41-42 tells us that Mary chose the better way by not allowing distractions to keep her from focusing on what Jesus had for her to learn. She sat at His feet, soaking up everything He was teaching. She was following what our Bible Journaling verse today instructs, “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (Psalm 105:4 ESV) She was seeking the Lord, endeavoring to be as close to Him as she could be to gain strength from Him and be in His presence.

We should follow Mary’s example. In the same manner, we should keep our sights set on God, endeavoring to learn as much as we can from Him, and then implementing what we have learned. The Enduring Word website, in its commentary on this verse, says, “God’s people are invited to not only seek God Himself, but also His strength. This strength is given to God’s people as they seek Him, as Paul would later write: ‘Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.’ (Ephesians 6:10).” As we study His Word, and follow His teaching, we gain strength in our daily walk with the Lord. 1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us we are to seek continually! It is to be a constant exercise.  

What does it mean to seek God? The Desiring God website says, “This happens through ‘seeking.’ Continual seeking. But what does that mean practically? Both the Old and New Testaments say it is a ‘setting of the mind and heart’ on God. It is the conscious fixing or focusing of our mind’s attention and our heart’s affection on God. ‘Now set your mind and heart to seek the Lord your God.’ (1 Chronicles 22:19) ‘If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.’ (Colossians 3:1-2)” (both references ESV)

How do we seek God for His strength and presence? By daily Bible reading, prayer, listening to sound doctrine as in a church service or listening to Christian radio and television, and living in a Godly manner so that we bring glory to God. As we gain strength and draw closer to Jesus, we grow in our Christian life, becoming more like Him, maturing until the day we see Him face to face. When we gain strength from God, it allows us to do things we may never ordinarily be able to do. Philippians 4:3 tells us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (WEB) When He calls us to step out in faith into unfamiliar territory, He also gives us the strength to be able to take that first step, even if it is with fear and trembling. He also assures us that He will be with us through it all. (Isaiah 41:10)

As we make that conscious choice to seek after God, we are not only receiving the benefits from being determined to follow Him in everything we do and say, but we are also giving Him honor through our obedience. As we humbly submit ourselves to His leading and seek out His will for us, God promises that when we seek Him, we will find Him. “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deuteronomy 4:29 NIV) Make that effort to seek God’s strength and presence, and you will find, like Mary, that it’s the best choice you will ever make.

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Donna Knuth Rice

I am trying a blog for the first time in my life, and frankly, I feel like I don't have a clue as to what I'm doing! But, here goes. I work at a Christian Television network in the Correspondence Department, where I write letters and emails to our viewers, pray with them for their needs, and send materials they request. I am a Christian. I was saved at the age of 11 during a youth meeting at my church. My pastor led me to the Lord, and to say the least, my life has been an adventure. I am a widow. My late husband, Allen, passed away after 34 1/2 years of marriage. He had been sick the last seven years of his life, and it was a struggle, for him and for me. We met as part of a singing group that was affiliated with a Christian Radio station, and we sang together all through our lives together. We both worked in television and radio all through our married life, mostly for Christian stations. Besides singing I also play flute. I had the luxury of having parents who started out as music teachers...so music was in our house constantly. Some people describe me as being a loud-mouthed lime type...can't disagree with that. I have a tendency to put my foot in my mouth more times than I can count! I also have a tendency to say exactly what's on my mind...which is why I get myself in so much trouble! LOL! Trust me, that's something me and God have been working on for a very long time. I have no children here on earth, although I have a baby in heaven. My baby here is my dog Jack. He's a black lab/ chow mix. He's a big boy....thinks he's a lap dog! Can't think of much else to say. The reason I started this blog is because a few months ago in church, a guest pastor came and delivered a message, and when he asked for those of us who wanted prayer to come forward, I did. When he came to me he asked me if I did any journaling. I told him no 'cause I wasn't very good at it. He told me to start, and prophesied over me that my journal thoughts would impact other people. I wasn't sure just how I was to go about doing this. In fact, I was a little hesitant at first. I started journaling at home, and our assistant pastor's wife asked me to submit something for our Senior newsletter. I didn't the first edition, but something I had heard on Christian radio a long time ago and has stuck with me all these years, came to mind so I submitted an article. That article will be my first post. I don't claim to have all the answers, and my thoughts may seem a little "out there", but I feel God has been prodding me to do this, and so here I am. I hope what I post will bring encouragement, and "Something to Think About".

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