January 9th, 2023
Written by Kara Wallis
Before I get started, I want to clarify that this is not a blog about a high speed police chase or an overrated Hollywood movie. I was spending time with God and this is just a simple word from Him. God knows He has to keep it simple with me. It began with a written prayer about the pure awe that I have that we serve a God that no matter what we do, He loves us and stays in pursuit after us. The definition of the word pursue means to chase, follow, and to try and gain. Think about this in the spiritual context of our God. He is chasing us down, not just when we behave and have our act together, but He is actively pursuing us all the time.
The concept of pursuing people no matter what is something that I struggle with as a human. In dealing with people, I can get impatient, burned out, frustrated, and even exhausted, but not God. Although, I feel like I may cause some frustration for Him from time to time. God is so good when I’m not, God is so faithful when I’m not, and God is loving when I’m not. We have an all-powerful, all-knowing, and sovereign Lord that loves us and pursues us. The scripture Romans 5:8 says, ”But God demonstrates his own love in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
So, hang out with me for a little bit as I explore the “pursuit” in a little different context. The way that God pursues us is out of love and to gain our souls, but in the Bible when the act of pursuing is taking place it is usually in the context of going after an enemy or asking God to protect from an enemy. Psalm 83:13-15 says, ”Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm.” We also have an enemy that is in pursuit of us and our lives. John 10:10(a) says, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy;” His goal is to get us to follow the world and go against our Heavenly Father, in hopes of gaining our soul.
We have to be vigilant with our adversary, Satan, and make sure that we are in pursuit of the things that God pursues. Proverbs 15:9 says, ”The Lord detests the ways of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.” Also, the scripture 1 Timothy 6:11 says, ”But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” God’s whole mission and heart is seeking the lost and them being saved. That’s why he sent Jesus to die for us. John 3:16 says, ”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” So, it is our mission as well to tell the world about Jesus and his salvation.
Luke 19:10 says, ”For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.” We know what true love and compassion is through relationship and partnership with Jesus.
1 John 3:16 says, ”This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
So, let us examine our hearts and motives as we consider what all Christ has done for us and take inventory of what we are actively pursuing that adds to the Kingdom of Heaven. Are we being obedient to what God has called us to do with our lives? Are we putting our own plans ahead of God’s plan? Are we pursuing lost souls the way that Jesus does and in the way that He sought after us? Let’s be bold with proclaiming the gospel to every nation, to every people, and to the ends of the earth.
Matthew 28:18-20 says, ”Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
Before I get started, I want to clarify that this is not a blog about a high speed police chase or an overrated Hollywood movie. I was spending time with God and this is just a simple word from Him. God knows He has to keep it simple with me. It began with a written prayer about the pure awe that I have that we serve a God that no matter what we do, He loves us and stays in pursuit after us. The definition of the word pursue means to chase, follow, and to try and gain. Think about this in the spiritual context of our God. He is chasing us down, not just when we behave and have our act together, but He is actively pursuing us all the time.
The concept of pursuing people no matter what is something that I struggle with as a human. In dealing with people, I can get impatient, burned out, frustrated, and even exhausted, but not God. Although, I feel like I may cause some frustration for Him from time to time. God is so good when I’m not, God is so faithful when I’m not, and God is loving when I’m not. We have an all-powerful, all-knowing, and sovereign Lord that loves us and pursues us. The scripture Romans 5:8 says, ”But God demonstrates his own love in this: While we were still sinners Christ died for us.”
So, hang out with me for a little bit as I explore the “pursuit” in a little different context. The way that God pursues us is out of love and to gain our souls, but in the Bible when the act of pursuing is taking place it is usually in the context of going after an enemy or asking God to protect from an enemy. Psalm 83:13-15 says, ”Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff before the wind. As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze, so pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your storm.” We also have an enemy that is in pursuit of us and our lives. John 10:10(a) says, “The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy;” His goal is to get us to follow the world and go against our Heavenly Father, in hopes of gaining our soul.
We have to be vigilant with our adversary, Satan, and make sure that we are in pursuit of the things that God pursues. Proverbs 15:9 says, ”The Lord detests the ways of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.” Also, the scripture 1 Timothy 6:11 says, ”But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” God’s whole mission and heart is seeking the lost and them being saved. That’s why he sent Jesus to die for us. John 3:16 says, ”For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” So, it is our mission as well to tell the world about Jesus and his salvation.
Luke 19:10 says, ”For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost.” We know what true love and compassion is through relationship and partnership with Jesus.
1 John 3:16 says, ”This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
So, let us examine our hearts and motives as we consider what all Christ has done for us and take inventory of what we are actively pursuing that adds to the Kingdom of Heaven. Are we being obedient to what God has called us to do with our lives? Are we putting our own plans ahead of God’s plan? Are we pursuing lost souls the way that Jesus does and in the way that He sought after us? Let’s be bold with proclaiming the gospel to every nation, to every people, and to the ends of the earth.
Matthew 28:18-20 says, ”Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”
2 Comments
Great word this morning
Thank you Kara for reminding us that not only does the Lord pursue us, we should pursue Him and His people. One of my favorite lyrics of all time is Third Day: who is this King of Glory Who pursues me with His love, and haunts me with each hearing of His softly spoken Word... it was the first time I ever thought about that God pursues us. How beautiful is that?!