The Rewarder of Those Who Seek Him

Posted under The Rectory Bulletin | Westminster Confession of Faith

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Here’s a thought to chew over: God rewards those who seek him. Can there be any greater encouragement to those who search for God? Is there a greater reward which can be found than that which comes from God? Here is motivation indeed!

So how do we seek him, and do so in expectation of that reward? The verse we are considering today gives us some pointers. First of all, there is mention of faith: “without faith it is impossible to please him”. It is the first stirrings of faith which cause us to seek God. After all, you would not seek someone or something which you didn’t believe exists. To acknowledge the existence of God is an important first step since so much flows from that belief. If we believe God exists, then we believe he can be found. If nothing else, a long gaze into a star-filled sky tells us something about God. The very heavens tell of the glory of God (Psalm 19).

There is more than that, though. A belief in God soon results in the the question bubbling up: how do we know anything specific about this God? Starry skies are one thing, giving us a general sense of God, but what about the specifics: what is God like? To know anything like that, we have to rely on God communicating to us and so it is that the Bible claims to be this revelation of God. A revelation made initially to the people of Israel, and then fulfilled in Christ. A revelation now made to the whole world.

The best way to seek God then, is to read this revelation. It is to pray and live in the knowledge that God exists. It is to realise that the world revolves around him, and not around you! It is a revolution in the way you view the world. All big stuff, but remember God “rewards those who seek him”.

A God All-Gracious

The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6–7) - The fact that he sent his only Son so that we might be reconciled back to him is sheer grace. The fact that Jesus’s death has washed away those sins which we commit is abundant mercy. The fact that he sticks with us is great patience indeed. That he forgives “iniquity and transgression and sin” is something to be cherished.

The Justice of God

Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love, let not all the hardship seem little to you that has come upon us, upon our kings, our princes, our priests, our prophets, our fathers, and all your people, since the time of the kings of Assyria until this day. Yet you have been righteous in all that has come upon us, for you have dealt faithfully and we have acted wickedly. (Nehemiah 9:32–33) - It is as we come to terms with the justice of God that we begin to grasp the wonderful, deep grace of his forgiveness. As we realise how far short we have fallen, the bloody, reconciling sacrifice of Christ on the cross becomes more precious
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