James H. Pence

Archive for the ‘Seeking God’ Category

What comes to mind when you hear the word pilgrim?

In America most of us probably form a mental picture of the people who celebrated the first Thanksgiving, dressed in their austere black clothing, complete with funny hats. For some, the word might bring to mind John Bunyan’s allegory, Pilgrim’s Progress. Others may think about the pilgrimage that Muslims must make to Mecca once in a lifetime.

Each of those mental pictures evokes a similar concept: travelling.

When we think of the “Thanksgiving Pilgrims”, the ones who came to America on the Mayflower and landed on Plymouth Rock, we generally are thinking about people traveled to a land where they would have religious freedom. On the other hand, Pilgrim’s Progress focuses on a different kind of journey, a journey to the “Heavenly City”. And the Muslims’ pilgrimage to Mecca is also a journey. For some, it is a short distance; for others, it involves great expense and a trip to the other side of the world.

Generally speaking, when we think of a pilgrim, we think of someone who is on a journey. Although that’s true, it’s not the complete Biblical picture.

In Hebrews 11:13, the King James Version reads, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb 11:13 KJV).

But the word that is translated “pilgrims” here is better translated as “resident aliens”, “sojourners”, or even “exiles”.

Peter uses the same word to describe Christians when he writes, “Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul,” (1Pe 2:11 ESV).

How do you view your life here on Earth?

Do you see yourself as a resident alien, a sojourner, an exile?

What does that even look like?

It seems to me that most Christians in America (myself included) live lives that don’t remotely resemble the lifestyle of a sojourner or exile.

The old hymn lyric goes, “This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.”

Based on the general conduct of Christians in America, it might be more accurate to sing, “This world is not my home, but I’m going to enjoy it as long and as much as I can.”

Are you an exile?

I hope so.

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What do you think? Keep the discussion going by adding your comments below.

I love the book of Psalms. For many years it has been the centerpiece of my devotional life. A few years ago I decided to take on the challenge of memorizing Psalm 119, the longest psalm in the book. I’m only about fifty verses in, but the richness of this psalm never ceases to amaze me.

One phrase that has caught my attention and refused to let go is found in verse 2: “How blessed are those who. . . seek [God] with all their heart,” Psalm 119:2 NET

I often have found myself pondering those words and wondering what it means to seek God with all my heart. Does it mean that I become a monk, isolating myself and praying 24/7? Does it mean that I neglect my family and sit around reading the Bible all day long? Does it mean that I become like Anna the prophetess (Luke 2) and practically live at church?

As I was thinking about these verses, one day God brought to mind two others that shed some light on what it means to seek God with all my heart.

Paul told the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing,” I Thessalonians 5:17 KJV. We know that he doesn’t mean we are to be on our knees every waking moment. Rather, Paul meant that believers should be in a constant attitude of prayer.

Another helpful statement came from the Lord Jesus. He said that we are to “above all pursue His [God's] kingdom and righteousness,” Matthew 6:33 NET. In other words, our first priority is to seek or pursue the Kingdom of God.

What, then, does it mean to seek God with all my heart? Putting it simply, it means that He is first. He is my top priority, my greatest desire, my highest joy. He comes first in all I do, say, or think. He governs my decisions, my use of time and money, and all my interpersonal relationships.

It means I am like the man who found a treasure hidden in a field, and who sold all he had to buy that field, Matthew 13:44.

May God grant us all the grace to seek Him with all our hearts today, and every day.