Seeking God: The 1st Step
“Many will seek to enter [the narrow gate] and will not be able”
Yeshua, the Son of God (Luke 13:24)
This quote should give every believer pause. These words alone imply that seeking, while necessary, is not enough to find the narrow gate and ultimately have the relationship with Yahweh in this life or the next that we hope to have.
Seeking God is the first step of every believer's journey. And is the pursuit we all must continue after coming into the faith.
However, as we learn from Yeshua’s words here, seeking is not enough. According to his words, some will seek and still be unable to enter into the Kingdom of God
Is your matter of “seeking God” leading you to enter into the narrow or broad gate?
In this study, we answer the following questions:
What does it mean to seek God?
Why is Seeking God so vital for the believer’s relationship with God?
What is Yahweh's plan for man to find Him?
How does the Scripture that I get started seeking God?
What are some obstacles to seeking God in a proper way?
How can I know if I’m genuinely seeking Him?
What role do prayer and bible study play in seeking God?
What does it practically mean to seek God with all our hearts?
How does God respond to those who seek Him?
God’s plan for Man to Find Him
What is the first step man must take in reuniting with God?
What is God’s plan?
Listening to Paul's speech to the Areopaugus while in Athens gives us a glimpse of this. The Areopagus was a council of philosophers and scholars responsible for matters of religion and education in Athens. It was known for its interest in new ideas and philosophies.
Paul begins by acknowledging the Athenians' religiosity. He notes their numerous idols and an altar inscribed “To an unknown god.”
Acts 17:22–27 (NKJV)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; 23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: 24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. 25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. 26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27so that they should seek Yahweh, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us
According to the words in verse 26, where and when you were born was not an accident. It was all carefully designed for a particular purpose. This purpose was that you would be able to seek Yahweh, reach out for him, and eventually find Him.
I can’t tell you how it all works for each person, but I trust the words and the sovereignty of Yahweh Almighty to bring about such a phenomenon. If this is true (and I believe it is), no one has an excuse for not having the opportunity to find God since He determined when and where each person was to live for this very purpose.
You might’ve preferred to have been born in a different time or place, but you don’t know what’s best for you. In all his wisdom, Yahweh somehow knows that the conditions in which you were born were perfect for you to have the opportunity to seek, reach, and find Him.
We also learn something about Yahweh in this: He desires to be sought and found. He already knows where we are and who we are. However, He’s waiting for us to seek and find Him.
This implies we go on an active search, looking, reflecting, and pondering about His existence and His purpose for us.
The ball is always in our courts.
We can no longer wait idly for some experience to happen to us, and he reveals Himself. Instead, he will be revealed upon us, embarking on the search.
This is no simple effort, as it includes time and energy dedicated to seeking and reaching. This point must be noticed since we can never claim to find anything that we were never actively looking for. In such a case, it would not be considered “found.” “Finding” only happens at the end of an intentional journey of searching that is often filled with a lot of winding turns and disappointments. But eventually, we get there.
Too many people are waiting around, hoping something happens. Hoping for some powerful experience or encounter, they claim they’ve never met God when, in actuality, they refuse to make an appointment by refusing to seek.
Ask, Seek, Knock
This is a principle that has been introduced previously, as Yeshua repeatedly teaches throughout his ministry. In speaking about the importance of prayer and how one should approach God, Yeshua gives a clear blueprint: Ask, seek, and knock.
Matthew 7:7–8 (NIV)
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Are you noticing that finding, seeking, and opening doors always follow the same steps we must take: seeking, asking, and knocking? There’s no getting away from this principle.
So, if you want to find, you must seek. If you wish to receive, you must ask; if you want the door to be opened, you must knock. I will share in more detail about how Yahweh calls us to seek in order to find a bit later in this lesson. But at this point, we must accept and understand how this principle works and the vital part we must play to find and truly connect with God.
“But He already knows my needs, so won’t he provide? Surely, He won’t allow me to go without simply because I didn’t ask, right?” Many erroneously believe this, so they go without because they did not heed the words of Yeshua. There’s a reason he said them. It’s because it is true.
Ask, seek, AND knock
Another point that is often missed in these words is Yeshua’s use of “and” instead of “or.” He says that we must ask, seek, and knock. He didn’t say ask, seek, or knock. The former demands that the worshipper do all three without missing any and likely in succession. This suggests that once we’ve exhausted “asking,” we should move on to “seeking.” And after “seeking” to knock. Take note that each step requires more energy and time from the seeker.
This is where most throw up their hands, exclaiming, “I did ask God,” not realizing that they must also seek. Or “I’ve been seeking,” but they did not knock. You see, it takes more energy and intentionality to acquire spiritual things than most know or want to admit. We’ve been taught that we can simply pray a prayer or make some cursory effort before receiving a blessing from God and getting to know Him intimately.
Ask, Seek, OR Knock
The latter phrase we mentioned earlier, “ask, seek, or knock,” is often the one most adopted in their approach to pursuing God and connecting with the blessings that follow. Reading Yeshua’s words to have “or” instead of “and” leads to a grave misunderstanding that one can choose either of the three (ask, seek, or knock) in order to find God and his will.
“Kind-of-Seeking” won’t Work
Hopefully, it’s starting to become clear that in order to truly “find” God, one must expend a lot more consistent time and energy focused on this pursuit.
But there’s more.
Simply seeking God is not enough.
As I mentioned at the opening of his lesson, Yeshua says, “Many will seek to enter the kingdom of God but will not be able to.” Often, we can feel so good about how we seek God (especially since most are not, and it’s more than we’ve done before) that we don’t realize that our efforts are in vain because we are not doing so as Yahweh prescribed.
Somehow, we often think that everything will work out because we have a “good” heart. So we don’t actually go back to Yahweh and sit in His counsel (Bible, prayer, meditation) to understand what He actually wants. This has resulted in the religion we see today called Christianity. It has become an amalgam of rituals, traditions, and practices that have no origin in Yahweh or his word but are entirely pagan and/or manmade.
So, it’s crucial here not to make that same mistake as it pertains to something as vital as how we should seek God in order to find Him.
Fortunately, this is something that is easy to find and carefully tucked away in some obscure writings in some distant land. Yahweh makes the path to Him very clear. He tells us clearly how we are expected to seek Him if we really want to find him.
Speaking to the Israelites during their Babylonian captivity, Yahweh explains through Jeremiah that they will find Him when they seek Him with ALL their heart.
Jeremiah 29:11–13 (NIV)
11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares Yahweh, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
The promise of finding God is conditional. They would find Him upon seeking Him with all their heart.
It is the same for us today: We will find Him when we seek Him with ALL our hearts.
This is not something you can simply try so that you can see if it works or not. This type of seeking requires the full commitment of the seeker. It’s the difference between a timid swimmer dipping their toe in the water to test the temperature, hoping to get a good idea of a full experience. And the individual who has already decided they are going to swim no matter what, so that jump fully in.
This is why Yeshua revealed that one can only know the truth by living according to it.
John 8:31–32 (NIV)
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Yeshua said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
You can’t just seek; you must seek with ALL YOUR HEART.
You can’t know the truth unless you fully hold to it.
It’s simply not something you can try then buy. You must go all in first.
Either you’re all in or not in at all.
Only a Few Get it
For this reason, only a few will enter his Kingdom. Said a different way, less than half of the world’s population will enter God's kingdom.
As a matter of fact, it is likely a fraction of this according to the words of Yeshua to a man who asked him how many people would be saved:
Luke 13:22–24 (NKJV)
22 And He went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?”
And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Now, before we keep reading, imagine how few people we’re talking about here. First, we must consider all the people trying to enter the kingdom of God. That’s obviously not everyone. Of course, only God knows that number. But whatever that number is, only a fraction of those people will be able to enter. This should keep us all on edge so that we don’t think that the bar is so low that everyone who goes to church, reads their Bible, and says the Yeshua is Lord is going to make. They’re striving to enter, but such actions are not enough to qualify.
Yeshua continues…
Luke 13:25–28 (NKJV)
25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’
27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ 28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out.
There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, likely because those who thought they were going to get in did not. Their seeking was all in vain.
Wouldn’t that be a terrible feeling? To have lived so much of your life denying yourself all kinds of pleasures for a kingdom you would never enter. It would’ve been just the same had you dove headfirst and indulged in your sin and temptations. So, if you’ve been trying to do what is right, living what feels like a “good” life to you, you could still be completely off because you did not seek Him as he called for us to seek.
And what kind of seeking does he demand?
One that requires “all your heart.”
What does it look like to seek with all your heart?
Ok. Hopefully, I’ve got your attention now about the importance of not just seeking God but doing so with all our hearts.
But what does it really mean for one to seek Him with all their heart?
How can this be made practical enough to implement in our lives today?
Well, I’m glad you asked. I’m going to let Solomon, the wisest man in his day (1 Kings 4:30-31), answer this question in the book of Proverbs.
Proverbs 8:17 (NKJV)
17 I love those who love me [Wisdom], And those who seek me diligently will find me
It requires more than a cursory seeking. It must be accompanied with diligence. Well, what does that look like?
To answer this question, let’s look at Proverbs 2:
Proverbs 2:1–5 (NIV)
1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— 3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,5 then you will understand the fear of Yahweh and find the knowledge of God.
Looking at these verses in their entirety reveals that this is a conditional statement beginning with “if” and concluding with “then”. Once all the conditions are met, this verse explains that the person “will understand the fear of Yahweh and find the knowledge of God”. Well, that’s perfect since that’s where we’re headed. We want to understand and find God.
Now that we have a clear destination mapped out, let’s explore the parts of the vehicle that are said to take us there, piece by piece.
The first thing worth noting is that all the conditions must be met, as evidenced by the repeated presence of the word “and,” as in do this, this, and then this.
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The first thing we’re told to do is accept His words. This obviously means no longer resisting or rejecting His words through blatant and consistent disobedience. As mentioned earlier, Yeshua said the truth could only be revealed to those who hold to it:
John 8:31–32 (NIV)
31 To the Jews who had believed him, Yeshua said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
This cannot be some philosophical or theological endeavor for personal enlightenment. The statutes and principles outlined in the words of the Scriptures need to be integrated into one's decision-making processes, behaviors, and attitudes. This is not a call to becoming perfect and never ever committing a sin, but a complete resolve to adopt Yaweh’s words as your life. Like Moses said to the Israelites before entering the Promised Land:
Deuteronomy 32:47 (NIV)47 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”
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The next step we are instructed to take is to "store up" His commands within us. This means cherishing His words like treasure in one’s mind or heart. It involves more than a casual relationship with Scripture; it calls for a continual accumulation of His words in large quantities within us.
This process requires time, attention, and effort. It can include memorizing His commands, making them integral to our thoughts and lives. To "store up" suggests not just knowing the words but internalizing them to the point where they influence every decision, behavior, and attitude.
The phrase "I know it by heart" perfectly encapsulates this idea. Just as one might memorize a cherished poem or song, we are to commit God’s commands to our hearts and minds, ensuring they are readily accessible in times of need.
This practice is akin to what the psalmist describes:
Psalm 119:11 (NIV)
11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
By storing up His commands within us, we align ourselves with His will, allowing His guidance to permeate our lives. Again, this isn't about achieving perfection but about making a deliberate and sustained effort to integrate God’s words into the very fabric of our being.
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The next instruction is to "turn your ear to wisdom." This involves a conscious effort to redirect our attention away from influences that are not grounded in wisdom, such as movies, music, social media, and toxic conversations that do not align with the will and Wisdom of Yahweh. Instead, we are called to actively seek out sources of wise advice, teachings, and principles.
Turning away from what is unwise means being discerning about the content we consume and the conversations we engage in. It’s about making a deliberate choice to avoid things that do not contribute to our spiritual and moral growth. This might mean limiting our exposure to entertainment and media that promotes negative or trivial values.
On the other hand, turning our ears to wisdom requires us to pursue and engage with sources that offer sound guidance and insight. This includes watching videos and listening to podcasts that teach valuable lessons, seeking the counsel of wise individuals, and reading books that impart knowledge and understanding.
By actively seeking wisdom, we position ourselves to receive and apply wise counsel in our lives. This proactive pursuit of wisdom helps us to grow in knowledge, discernment, and righteousness. It’s about filling our minds and hearts with what is good, true, and beneficial, thereby aligning our lives more closely with God’s will.
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The next step is to "apply your heart to understanding." This goes beyond mere knowledge; it involves a deeper, more intentional pursuit of understanding and wisdom. It means moving past simply knowing facts or scripture and seeking to understand their deeper meanings and applications in our lives.
To apply your heart to understanding, start by asking questions that delve into the essence of what you learn. This includes questioning how the teachings apply to your life, what they reveal about God’s character, and how they can influence your actions and decisions. It’s about seeking not just the "what" but the "why" and "how" behind the teachings.
This pursuit requires a sincere and diligent effort to comprehend the principles and truths at a deeper level. It involves meditating on the Scriptures, reflecting on their implications, and seeking God's guidance in applying them to daily life.
Applying your heart to understanding is a commitment to growth and transformation. It’s about allowing God's wisdom to penetrate your heart and mind, shaping your worldview, and guiding your actions. This kind of understanding fosters spiritual maturity and a closer relationship with God.
By applying your heart to understanding, you move beyond superficial knowledge and develop a profound grasp of God’s will and purpose. This intentional pursuit of deeper understanding equips you to live out your faith more fully and effectively.
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To "call out for insight" and "cry aloud for understanding" means actively and humbly pursuing deeper knowledge and wisdom. This involves several key actions:
Humbly Ask Questions: Approach learning with a humble heart, always ready to ask questions that seek deeper meanings and applications. Do not shy away from admitting what you do not know.
Seek Mentorship: Find and connect with mentors who can provide guidance, wisdom, and insights from their own experiences and understanding. Their advice can be invaluable in your journey toward deeper understanding.
Research and Study: Dedicate time to studying the Scriptures, relevant literature, and other educational resources. Thorough research and diligent study are essential to gaining comprehensive insight.
Pray and Meditate: Regularly pray and meditate, beseeching the Father for wisdom and understanding. Open your heart to receive divine guidance and revelation.
Be Open to Correction and Learning: Embrace correction and be willing to learn from your mistakes. This openness is crucial for personal growth and acquiring true understanding.
Connect with a Like-Minded Community: Join a community of individuals who share your commitment to seeking wisdom and understanding. Engage in discussions, share insights, and support each other in your spiritual journey.
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To "look for it as for silver" and "search for it as for hidden treasure" means to seek wisdom and understanding with great care, intention, and expectation. This pursuit involves several key attitudes and actions:
With Great Carefulness and Intention: Approach your search for wisdom with deliberate focus and careful planning. Treat it as a valuable endeavor that requires thoughtful effort and attention.
Hope of a Great Reward: Maintain the hope and expectation that your efforts will yield a significant reward. Just as treasure hunters believe in the value of the treasure they seek, they believe that the wisdom and understanding you pursue are priceless.
Knowing Your Efforts Will Be Worth It: Trust that the time, energy, and resources you invest in seeking wisdom will be worthwhile. This confidence fuels perseverance and determination.
With Diligence and Persistence: Be diligent and persistent in your pursuit. Searching for hidden treasure requires consistent effort and resilience, as does the quest for wisdom.
With Patience and Commitment: Understand that finding wisdom is a gradual process that requires patience. Stay committed to the journey, even when progress seems slow or difficult.
With Intentional Efforts: Make intentional and strategic efforts to seek wisdom. This means setting aside regular time for study, reflection, seeking guidance, and being mindful of opportunities to learn and grow.
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And finally, after all these steps, you find God.
You shouldn’t get so caught up in completing each step perfectly. However, all these conditions outlined in Proverbs 2 reveal the very principle that was established earlier, namely that seeking is more than a light, cursory effort. It’s more than showing up to church weekly, reading one’s bible here and there, or saying a sincere prayer. Seeking God with all of one’s heart is intentional, consistent, and genuine, calling the pursuer's whole heart, body, and spirit in service of this desired aim: reconciling with your Father in heaven.
As you come, He will Run
The good news in all of this is as you come, He will run, that is, He will begin moving toward you as you move toward Him. Yahweh is not just sitting back with His arms crossed, waiting for you to do all the work. Here’s how James says it:
James 4:8 (NIV)
8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
One of the best places to see this picture illustrated is in Yeshua's parable about a prodigal son. Note that this is not a real story he is recounting but one he has carefully crafted to highlight spiritual truths.
This story tells of a younger son who demands his inheritance, leaves his father’s house, and wastes his wealth on reckless living. When a severe famine strikes, he finds himself destitute and feeding pigs, a job abhorrent to a Jewish person. Realizing his mistake, he decides to return to his father, repentant and hoping to be taken back as a servant.
Pay attention to how the father responds to seeing his son returning back home.
Luke 15:20–21 (NKJV)
20 “And he [the prodigal son] arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
The father outpaced the son in hastening the reunion even though the boy was still a long way off. He did not carry on the spirit of I-told-you-so or “Yeah, you better come home, and you should walk the whole distance.” Instead, he welcomed him as he sought favor again with his father.
The father did not concern himself with the condition of the boy, who likely did not smell or look very good at the time because of his travels and loss of income.
What a beautiful portrait of God’s love as He welcomes in all who seek Him with all their heart. The boy would never have been embraced by his father if he had assumed, “My father knows I need help. He will/should come get me. He had to get out of his miserable condition and go back to his father. Many are waiting for God, not realizing that God is waiting for them to turn and seek Him with their whole heart.
When Should I Start
This may seem overwhelming and demanding. You may need a lot of time and effort to fit this into your life without making a mess. You might be thinking, "This sounds like a great idea, but I’ll start tomorrow. Once I get a few things in order, I’ll be ready to commit to this."
For many, that day never comes. Why? Because they fail to grasp the principle of prioritizing the most important thing first. In all your seeking, Yeshua explicitly tells us that God’s Kingdom and His righteousness should be our top priorities.
Matthew 6:25–26; 31-34 (NKJV)
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Those in the world seek first their physiological needs. But those who seek Yahweh's Kingdom with all their hearts are commanded to seek His Kingdom and Righteousness first, trusting that all those other things will certainly follow. If seeking God’s kingdom first with all your heart is not your priority, everything else can and should wait. For…
Mark 8:36 (NIV)
36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
Summary
God’s plan of salvation begins with man seeking Him.
Our seeking must be accompanied by wholehearted diligence.
Of all those who seek, only a few find the narrow gate, so be one of the few.
Religious activity is equivalent to sincere truth-seeking
As we draw near to God, he draws near to us
Seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness is always priority #1
Reflection
Are you seeking God with all your heart? Take a moment to assess the sincerity and intensity of your pursuit of God. Are you dedicating intentional time and energy to seeking Him, or is it more of a casual, occasional effort?
What obstacles (if any) are preventing you from seeking God wholeheartedly? Identify distractions or hindrances in your life, such as entertainment, social media, or personal commitments, that might take precedence over your relationship with God. What changes can you make to prioritize seeking Him?
How will repentance look for you in your journey of seeking God with all your heart?
Who else do you know needs to hear this message? How will you share it with them, and why?
