Topical Bible: Seeking God: Saints: Prepare Their Hearts For

◄ Seeking God: Saints: Prepare Their Hearts For ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the Christian tradition, seeking God is a fundamental aspect of faith and devotion. The saints, those who are set apart for God's purposes, are called to diligently prepare their hearts to seek Him. This preparation is not merely an external act but involves an internal transformation and alignment with God's will.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible emphasizes the importance of seeking God with a prepared heart. In 2 Chronicles 12:14, it is noted that Rehoboam "did evil because he did not set his heart to seek the LORD." This highlights the necessity of intentionality in seeking God. The preparation of the heart is a deliberate act of setting one's focus and desires on God.

Heart Preparation

The preparation of the heart involves several key elements:

1. Repentance and Humility: Acknowledging one's sins and turning away from them is crucial. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God promises, "if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land." Humility and repentance are foundational to seeking God.

2. Purity of Heart: Psalm 24:3-4 asks, "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully." Purity of heart is essential for those who seek to draw near to God.

3. Wholehearted Devotion: Jeremiah 29:13 promises, "You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Wholehearted devotion means seeking God with undivided attention and commitment.

4. Faith and Trust: Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith is a critical component of heart preparation, trusting in God's character and promises.

Examples of Prepared Hearts

Throughout Scripture, there are numerous examples of individuals who prepared their hearts to seek God:

· David: Known as a man after God's own heart, David exemplified a life of seeking God. In Psalm 27:8, he declares, "My heart said, 'Seek His face.' Your face, O LORD, I will seek."

· Ezra: Ezra 7:10 records, "For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, to practice it, and to teach its statutes and ordinances in Israel." Ezra's preparation involved a commitment to God's Word and its application.

· Daniel: In Daniel 9:3, Daniel says, "So I turned my attention to the Lord God to seek Him by prayer and petitions, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes." Daniel's heart was prepared through prayer and fasting.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, preparing the heart to seek God involves regular spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, worship, and fasting. It requires a conscious effort to remove distractions and idols that compete for one's attention and affection. By cultivating a heart that is humble, pure, devoted, and full of faith, believers can draw near to God and experience His presence and guidance in their lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 30:19
That prepares his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Necessity of Diligently Seeking the Saints' Rest.
... worldly-minded are so taken up in seeking the things ... while they neglect the kingly
dignity of the saints! ... and night, in earnest supplication to God for their ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter vii the necessity of.htm

First, I am to Consider what the Keeping of the Heart Supposes and ...
... to the will of God; and self-seeking by self ... frame which fits it for a life of communion
with God. ... and himself together on such business; but saints know those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/first i am to consider.htm

The Saints' Rest is not to be Expected on Earth.
... 5. It is seeking rest where it is not to be ... of heaven, or reposing your soul on any
thing below God. ... unwillingness to die, that we may possess the saints' rest ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter x the saints rest.htm

Is God in the Camp?
... are not then called "stupid affairs." The saints enjoy fellowship ... is not in the camp
And any of you seeking souls must ... of God, and if we would have God to come ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/is god in the camp.htm

An Exhortation to the People of God not to be Discouraged in their ...
... they shut out of the assembly of the saints, and separated ... and psalms, and go to
hear what God hath to ... answer your petitions at once or twice seeking unto him ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/an exhortation to the people.htm

The Ministry and Prayer
... to be often found on their knees seeking divine help ... your hearts unblamable in holiness
before God, even our ... of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.". ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/vii the ministry and prayer.htm

Heralds of the Morning.
... of faith and the character of His saints to love ... stir of worldly business and
pleasure-seeking"buying, selling ... in marriage"with forgetfulness of God and the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /17 heralds of the morning.htm

Heralds of the Morning
... of faith and the character of His saints to love ... stir of worldly business and pleasure
seeking"buying, selling ... in marriage"with forgetfulness of God and the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 17 heralds of the.htm

God's Law Immutable.
... They had been honestly seeking to know and to do God's ... he opened his mouth in blasphemy
against God, to blaspheme ... unto him to make war with the saints, and to ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /25 gods law immutable.htm

The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest.
... Another hinderance is, self-seeking. ... and to the hopes and comforts of the saints,
because you ... the necessity, excellency, and pleasure of serving God, and labor ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ix the duty of.htm