Jeremiah 29:13 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Verse 11 is justly known and loved, but this verse isn’t far behind. It is an absolutely marvelous promise of God, but it contains a condition that is often overlooked, or at least taken lightly. That condition is the simple phrase, “with all your heart.” The Bible speaks many times about the dangers of a divided heart, perhaps most notably in James 1:8, which says that a double-minded man is unstable in all he does. God desires to be “found” by us – though He certainly isn’t lost! However, He doesn’t want to be “one of many” goals in our hearts, He wants to be supreme. That’s why the first of the 10 Commandments is, “You shall have no other gods before (besides) Me.” (Exodus 20:3) I couldn’t begin to count all the Japanese who have wanted to “add Jesus to their god shelf,” so to speak, and have turned away when I made it clear that is not possible. Japan being traditionally polytheistic, they have little hesitation about making their feelings on that score clear. However, America is traditionally monotheistic, and people often aren’t even aware of their internal idolatry. Just because you don’t go to some formal “house of worship” for something doesn’t mean you haven’t set it up on the throne of your heart. To be slightly less extreme in terminology, I’ll say that the world is full of distractions. Attention Deficit Disorder didn’t start in the 21st Century, or even the 20th, but it is certainly prevalent. We have so many things clamoring for our attention that it can sometimes be difficult to get anything done at all! I believe the devil is strongly encouraging that state of affairs, because he knows this verse is true, and he doesn’t want anyone to find God. It has been said that the biggest difference between someone who is recognized as a “genius” and an ordinary person is the matter of focus. When we really focus on something, almost anyone can accomplish pretty remarkable things. That’s exactly what this verse is talking about. When we really focus on God, setting everything else aside, we cannot fail to find Him; He promises it!

Growing up with a wide spectrum of abilities, focus has always been a problem for me. I have allowed more things than I could list to crowd God out of the center of my heart. There’s nothing I regret more! However, God in His patient grace has continued to draw me to Himself, and I am learning the joys of intimacy with Him. However, when I recommend this lifestyle to others, they think they could never do it; they “aren’t that holy.” That’s a lie from the devil! None of us are holy apart from the cleansing, redeeming work of Christ on the cross, so we are all on equal footing. I was incredibly blessed by a strongly Christian upbringing, but I have known people from similar backgrounds who have “gone off the deep end” in the other direction. It’s never a matter of our ability, but rather of our availability to God. Putting God first is a choice. It is at least a daily choice, which is why starting each day with a devotional time is so valuable, but it is sometimes a moment-by-moment choice, when we are beset by temptations that touch the weakest parts of our flesh. I need to encourage others, as well as practice myself, to ask and allow the Holy Spirit to shine His light on those areas in our hearts that don’t seek God, so that we may repent and receive His forgiveness and cleansing, moving forward into ever deeper, richer intimacy with our Lord by His Spirit, for His glory.

Father, thank You for this clear Word. Guide in when and how I share it with others, so that it may be received and acted on, setting many free from the traps of the devil, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!