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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Have you ever been challenged with, ‘Which came first, the chicken or the egg?’ A similar question can be posed concerning faith and our relationship with God. Do we develop a relationship with God through faith or deepen our faith as a result of a relationship with him? I suppose the answer could be both. It takes an acknowledgement of Him – the first step to faith in Him – to develop a relationship with Him; which in turn strengthens our belief in His person and purpose, increasing our faith. As James says, (If we) “Come near to God … he will come near to (us).” James 4:8
God declared through Jeremiah that, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (See also Deuteronomy 4:29) Is God hiding? No, but any worthwhile endeavor demands effort. If a task is too easily met, we are often casual in our response to it. Challenge, on the other hand, is met – or should be – with determination; and what could be more challenging than submitting our wills to God’s and our priorities to other’s needs? Salvation freely given, a righteous lifestyle not cheaply achieved. (Romans 6:23; 1 Corinthians 6:20; Romans 5:8)
God expects a response to his offer of loving provision, if we spurn it he may not continue to offer it indefinitely. (See Genesis 6:3) Thus Isaiah’s admonition for us to, “Seek the Lord while he may be found; ...” Is. 55:6 No one knows how many opportunities they’ll have to respond to God’s call to follow him. We are only sure of this moment, “…now (being) the time of God’s favor, now (being) the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:12 The Hebrew writer asking, “…how shall we escape (then) if we ignore such a great salvation?” Hebrews 2:3 The desire for God’s presence in our lives accompanied by a desire to please him through obedience and worship must be consistent and ongoing; a priority for a life well-lived. Jesus instructing us to, “…seek first (God’s) kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things (the concerns and needs of an active life) will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
A few examples of the pitfalls to avoid may be gleaned from the lives of Kings David, Uzziah and Amaziah. King David often poses a paradox for us. He was a great man of faith who often failed miserably. The key to his success and redemption from failure can be found in 2 Samuel 7:18, which records David’s habit of seeking out God (Psalm 46:10) and re-establishing a relationship that allowed for forgiveness and redemption. When he faltered, at times behaving atrociously, it was not so much because he sought to do evil as it was because he failed to seek out God and his purposes beforehand – evil being a natural consequence of following the selfish sin-nature we all possess as opposed to doing God’s will. (2 Samuel 11) That’s why so much of the Old Testament is dedicated to characterizing God’s attempts to reclaim and redeem people out of communion with Him, restoring a right relationship with us finally in the sacrificial offering of his son as recorded in the New Testament. As such, he calls out to, “…my people, who are called by my name,” to “humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,…” Promising to then, “hear from heaven… forgive(ing) their sin and… heal(ing) their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (See also David’s admonition to his son Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:9)
King Uzziah is typical of a number of Israelite kings whom scripture records as starting out well but who nevertheless allowed pride to lead to their downfall; failing to recognize that, “As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.” 2 Chronicles 26:5 While King Amaziah epitomizes people throughout the ages – including our own. He had a relatively long reign of 29 years, doing some things really well. In the end however, he turned his back on God and his people, suffering defeat at the hand of his enemies and death by his own subjects. The problem being, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly.” 2 Chronicles 25:2 Having obeyed the letter of the law, he often ignored the spirit behind it. If there is any one thing that characterizes the church today it is exactly this, complacency. We do many things right but not wholeheartedly, failing to seek out God’s heart and will even as we superficially try to appease him.
God cared enough about mankind to sacrifice his son to provide salvation, but he delights in individuals who develop a personal relationship with him in a deeper, fuller sense; similar to our own relationships. He declares, “I love those who love me,” promising “those who seek me find me.” Proverbs 8:17 Jesus encouraging us to, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” (His promise of rest for the weary and troubled not entailing a lack of labor, hardship or even suffering; rather it is the absence of guilt, worry and the lack of meaning so many struggle with today.) He further instructs us to, “Take my yoke (an implement of labor) upon you and learn from me,…” assuring us of his gentleness and humility – he will not ask of us more than we can accomplish. His yoke being easy and light (compared to the world’s), yet still a burden worth carrying. (Matthew 11:28-30) The assurance of our needs being met, our questions answered and his hospitality extended to us follow our asking for help, seeking his advice and knocking on the door of opportunity he makes available. (Matthew 7:7,8)
In proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ to the Athenians, Paul explained the reason behind God’s dealings with man. “God did this so that man would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each of us.” Acts 17:27 While the Bereans modeled the diligently inquiring character God rewards “…the Bereans were of more noble character… for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11
Peter reminds us of a precept taught throughout the Old Testament that still holds true today. “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,…” 1 Peter 3:10-12 – Psalm 119:10
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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