Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.

        1 Chronicles 16:11

Let’s have some fun with today’s passages. Perhaps you’re aware that the chapter and verse numbers were added to the Bible later as a way to make it easier to find specific passages for us to study. But just as I believe God’s hand is on the writing, the compilation, and the preservation of the text, I believe the same about the numbering. Today, we are going to see something quite amazing and its not the only place in scripture where this happens. 

Let’s take the very straightforward passage from 1 Chronicles. “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually.” It tells us, quite simply, to seek God, the theme of this current series. But notice that this passage comes out of chapter 16 and verse 11. 

Now let’s take a passage from the Psalms. It reads as follows:

You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

    Psalm 16:11

So, we are discussing seeking God and, now, this Psalm tells us that in His presence is “fullness of joy.” Now comes the fun part. This passage is from Psalm 16 and, you guessed it, verse 11. That might not be that exciting for you but I find it fascinating. 

So, enough with the chapter and verse numbers…let’s get to the business of internalizing these powerful passages.

The Chronicles tells us to seek God “and His strength.” It is nothing short of a miracle for us to experience a situation in life where all seems lost, or at the very least, it was a difficult situation yet we were able to make it through because of God’s strength. For the born again believer in Jesus, we have all of the heavenly resources at our disposal to meet these challenges. And it might not even be a difficult time in life, perhaps, it’s just good old fashion spiritual warfare. But whatever the case, this godly strength is ours through the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the life of every born again believer in Jesus. Consider Paul’s admonition:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 

    Ephesians 6:10-12

We are not designed to take on spiritual warfare on our own. That’s why Paul tells us to be strong in the might of God. The devil does scheme and looks for ways to take down the life you are living for Jesus. But we need not fear, for the strength of God is mightier than the scheming of the devil. But putting on the full armor of God is imperative for us to be victorious. Perhaps, this is also why the Chronicles tells us to “seek His face continually.” We need God and we need Him every minute, every second of every day.

Now to Psalm 16 that tells us of three (3) things we can expect in the presence of God…good reasons to seek His face. First, is the path of life. “You (God) will make known to me the path of life.” In the presence of God we find life and He shows us the way that leads to life. Consider the following:

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

John 14:6

Each of these passages deals with “the path of life.” The first speaks of the two options afforded all of us; the narrow or the broad. The second speaks to God “making our paths straight” or God “directing our paths.” And in the third passage, Jesus let’s us know that He is “the way, and the truth, and the life.” In the presence of God, we can find the path of life.

Secondly, in God’s presence is “fullness of joy.” Joy is similar to happiness but distinct at the same time. Happiness is often linked to our current situation. “I got married, I’m so happy.” “I got divorced, I’m so sad.” “I got a new car, I’m so happy.” “I wrecked my new car, I’m so sad.” “I got a raise at work, I’m so happy.” “I got fired, I’m so sad.” You get the point. Christian joy transcends all of the ebb and flow of life because it is rooted in the eternal and the certainty that we will spend eternity with Christ. So, in the presence of God, we find fullness of joy.

Lastly, “in Your right hand are pleasures forever.” Christian pleasure far exceeds worldly pleasure. Worldly pleasure is fleeting and brings with it (if it’s rooted in sin) regret, guilt, and shame. But the pleasure that we find in God is everlasting and doesn’t come with the price tag of guilt and shame. 

Seeking God’s face continually (1 Chronicles 16:11) because in His presence we will find the path of life, fullness of joy, and pleasures forever! (Psalm 16:11)