What does it mean to seek God's face?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible instructs us to seek God's face (Psalm 105:4; Jeremiah 29:13; Matthew 7:7–8). What does this mean, though? The NIV metaphorically uses “face” in such passages as Psalm 105:4. The ESV uses the word “presence” instead and helps us to understand that seeking God’s face means taking steps to be in His presence—such as reading His Word and praying (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:2–3; 1 Thessalonians 5:17–18). The Old Testament refers to God's face shining on His people with grace and as a means of restoration and salvation (Numbers 6:24–26; Psalm 80:3, 7, 19). These same benefits come to those who seek God’s face today (Matthew 7:7–8; Acts 3:19; James 4:8). Scripture also teaches that when we seek the Lord, we learn to desire His presence (Psalm 63:1–3), to rely on Him more, and to become His children (John 1:12; Romans 8:16–17). Pursuing God’s presence in our lives shouldn’t be thought of as a self-centered, give-to-get scheme but should be motivated by love for God and the desire to get to know Him better.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• When we “earnestly” pursue God, as the psalmist in Psalm 63 does, it is bound to translate to praising His “power and glory” and recognizing His “steadfast love” (Psalm 63:1–3).
• Psalm 105:4 urges believers to “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually.” Seeking God’s face is another way of saying we’re to seek His presence.
• Amidst the Israelites’ seventy-year exile in Babylon because they abandoned the Lord, God sent the prophet Jeremiah to deliver this message: “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). As they were exiled for abandoning God, they would be brought back into a loving relationship with Him when they sought Him.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Seeking God’s face means seeking Him to know Him better. It is seeking to develop our relationship with our Creator. Matthew 6:33 indicates the proper motivation for seeking God’s face: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” “All these things” are our necessities of life. We seek Him because He knows better than we do what we need. God cares for us and gives us what we need (not always what we want).
• The Lord promises that we will find Him if we seek Him. Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7–8).
• God looks with favor and love on those who seek His face. Such believers become children of God (John 1:12; 3:16–18).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

If you’ve ever tried to call a recruiter to find out if you got the job (hint: you didn’t) or called a government office to talk to a human being (hint: unlikely), you probably learned what the word “runaround” means. Seeking people who don’t want to be found can be frustrating. But what if you knew that the most important Being actually wants you to seek Him? This is true of our Creator. He has even given us a collection of books that are meant to tell us more about Him. He has provided a conduit to Him through His Son and asked us to pray to Him (Matthew 7:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Philippians 4:6). With God, there is no “runaround." We have a direct line. Do you use it regularly? Every person should, especially believers. It’s how we form a relationship with our Creator. Unlike some people and offices, God wants us to seek Him—and has promised that if we do, we’ll find Him (Matthew 7:7–8). Pursuing God’s presence changes our lives for the better, but it shouldn’t be a self-centered enterprise. Our search should be motivated by love for God and the desire to get to know Him better. He will honor that effort.

UNDERSTAND

• Seeking God’s face means pursuing His presence through prayer and His Word.
• The Bible promises that those who seek Him will find Him.
• Seeking God leads to knowing Him more deeply and reflecting His heart and character.

REFLECT

• How do you intentionally seek God’s face?
• What motivates you to seek God, and why do you find it important?
• How can you develop a deeper desire to seek God with sincerity?

ENGAGE

• What is the importance of continually seeking God’s face, both individually and corporately?
• How can we encourage one another to seek God’s presence with pure motives?
• What changes might we see in our relationships if we consistently pursued God together?