As we go about our various duties, we pray for God’s presence to direct our efforts. The prophet, Azariah, gave King Asa guidance how he could experience God’s presence in his life:

and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: the Lord is with you when you are with Him. And if you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you abandon Him, He will abandon you.” (2 Chronicles 15:2)

Early in his ministry, Asa followed this advice and God blessed him:

And Asa did what was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God, (2 Chronicles 14:2)

Asa was diligent to place God first in his life as he removed the high places of pagan worship. When a large army threatened the nation, Asa fully trusted in the Lord:

Then Asa called to the Lord his God and said, “Lord, there is no one besides You to help in the battle between the powerful and those who have no strength; help us, Lord our God, for we trust in You, and in Your name have come against this multitude. Lord, You are our God; do not let man prevail against You.” (2 Chronicles 14:11)

Azariah warned Asa that a good start does not guarantee a strong finish. We must never become complacent in our relationship with God.  Are you listening to the prophets that God is placing in your life? God is a sea of infinite substance and there is always more that we can learn about Him. Isaiah described God as the one who hides Himself, therefore it is incumbent upon us to seek Him:

Truly, You are a God who hides Himself, God of Israel, Savior! (Isaiah 45:15)

The danger that many people face is they settle and become content with mediocrity. God is not looking for half-hearted devotion, but our full measure of devotion. Moses promised that we will find God if we search for Him with all our heart and soul:

But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. (Deuteronomy 4:29)

We must also realize that there is a strong warning if we are not seeking after God. Azariah warned, if we abandon God, then He will abandon us. The word abandon conveys the idea to leave, neglect, or forsake. The Lord gave this strong warning to the church at Laodicea:

So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth. (Revelation 3:16)

Have you become lukewarm in your relationship with God? In what ways are you seeking after God? May we continue to press on to know God in His fullness with all our heart and soul.

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark