My sister called me yesterday and I was thrilled.
I hadn’t heard from her in what felt like years, so just receiving her call was the blessing of my day. 🙂
She asked me to pray with her.
She had been stressed out about work and was at a breaking point.
My sister loves the Lord with all her heart, but the busyness of life and family had been crowding out her intimate time with God. And as a result, her problems at work had become overwhelming.
But when she and I prayed together that day, the Holy Spirit moved on us so sweetly as we laid her burdens at His feet. I can’t tell you how good it felt to seek the Lord’s face with my sister in that moment.
And as she got off the phone praising God, I knew she had found the peace and comfort she needed to get her through her work day.
When you said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to you, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.” -Psalm 27:8
What does God mean by “seek my face?”
If we can’t see God’s face, how do we seek God’s face? -gotquestions.org
Seeking God’s face in the original text means to seek “His presence.”
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek His presence continually! -Psalm 105:4
He IS His presence. So when we’re seeking God’s presence, and God’s face, we’re seeking Him.
It may seem odd, hard, and backwards to seek the presence of God when you’re knee-deep in the middle of storm.
But when you let it go and look deeply into His face, you’ll begin to feel His heart about your situation (which is peace :)), and God will lead you deeper with His touch.
The Hebrew word used for face means “face, the part that turns.” It comes from the root that means “to turn, to face, appear, and look.” This implies being face-to-face with God, which is a place of deep intimacy. -christianity.com
How to seek God’s face.
Just let go.
When you come to spend time in God’s presence in the middle of a storm, your first instinct may be to try and control the issue by worrying. But you’ll soon realize that worrying will get you nowhere in a hurry.
I’ve tried many times to sit in worship and wait on God’s tangible presence, but my mind would keep drifting back to that same issue.
So in essence, seeking God’s face and letting go, requires childlike faith.
It may feel like falling backwards into the arms of another.
You’re hoping they won’t let you fall. You’re also hoping they’re paying attention, they’re not distracted, and they can actually hold your weight.
Yes, it can take a lot of faith, an act of faith, to let go and give it to God.
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” -Matthew 14:28-29
In a Messenger X course I’m taking, John Bevere asks the question: If the waters were still, would Peter have still been able to walk on the water?
Yes! The wind and the waves had nothing to do with Peter’s ability to walk on water with Jesus, but when he SAW the storm, as a fisherman who’s experienced many storms, fear arose, because he knew what wind and waves meant… turmoil, chaos and potential loss of life. But still, the wind actually had nothing to do with Peter’s ability to walk on water.
When Jesus said “Come,” that’s all Peter needed to be able to walk on the water.
The Word of God. No matter what was happening around him.
It’s the same with us in OUR situations. In stormy moments, all we need is a deep trust in God’s Word to keep our gaze fixed on Jesus.
As you keep seeking God’s face no matter how you feel in the moment, your emotions will follow. Growing your faith muscle. you’ll soon relax and begin to let go and experience His glorious, tangible presence. And you’ll wonder what had you so worried before…
It’s a beautiful transaction.
We give God our worries through worship, and He gives us His joy and peace.
You will show me the path of life; In your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11
Worth fighting for.
You may not realize it, but seeking God’s face is worth fighting for. In the scriptures we’re called to fight the good fight of faith.
But what exactly are you fighting?
You’re fighting the lies that tell you God’s not near, He can’t hear you, or that it’s not His will for you to be made well; that He’s disappointed in you. The subtle lies that work to keep you from finding rest in God’s presence.
You’re fighting for faith in what God has already said in His Word;
that He will never leave you nor forsake you. Faith that yes, you CAN come boldly into the throne of grace, not because of what you’ve done, but solely and I mean solely based on the cross of Christ.
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. -2 Corinthians 10:3-6
It used to take work for me to enter in.
I used to think I had to “usher in” His presence. Have you heard that term before?
But I’ve found that seeking God’s face is more surrendering than ushering. In fact, there’s no ushering at all. The more you usher, the more you get in the way.
It’s all about letting go.
Quieting your mind and shifting your focus back to Jesus. Yes, sometimes it’s a struggle to let go of the fear, worry, and stress at first. Because it takes faith.
Even sheer determination at times, to stand your ground and crucify the flesh in that moment, when everything in you is screaming that you can’t. When those anxiety symptoms are at an all-time high…
Trust God. He won’t let you down.
He won’t disappoint you. He will come. And it will be beautiful, refreshing, peaceful, and glorious.
But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. -Deuteronomy 4:29
When should you seek His face as a believer?
Probably more than you think. Surely more than I thought. At one point I was like, Lord, are you getting sick of me coming to you?
But I encourage you to make it a lifestyle. Don’t let it be a last resort.
Instead of sporadically seeking God only if you have the time, create pockets of time in your day to meditate on Him, His Word, and His goodness.
Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence continually. -Psalm 105:4
There’s power in going to God with every burden on your heart, big or small, as a regular, daily, lifelong practice.
So the next time you find yourself stuck, worried, or overwhelmed, stop and seek God’s face.
That impossible situation at work…seek God’s face. That toxic atmosphere at home…seek God’s face. That anxiety that seems to keep returning…seek His face. Enjoying your day…celebrate with Him and seek His face.
Not only will you find peace in His presence, but you’ll find the answers you’re looking for. Seeking and spending time in the presence of God. Be blessed and encouraged.
That’s where the solution lies: not in human ability or ingenuity. Not in better organization, increased skill, or improved work. Only in the presence of God, as I seek His face, can His solution be found. -John Roberts, journal-advocate
