Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net
-----Original Message-----
From: "Apostle Tom" <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:34:08 -0500
To: pressingon@hotmail.com
Subject: Morning Manna (June 14); BP: Is. 55; RBTTY: Acts 1; Ezra 9-10
June 14 “On Seeking the Lord”
“Seek the Lord while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”
Isaiah 55:6
This must be our daily “magnificent obsession” if we are to truly know
Him and experience the depths of His love.
All of us know someone who follows a particular sports team, particular
athlete or singing star, etc., is known as a “fan.” And, those who are
thoroughly obsessed in their pursuit are known as “fanatical.”
For such “fanatical fans,” any-and-everything associated with their
“dream team” or “idol” is fair game for their consuming fascination. They
get autographed pictures. . . buy trinkets and souvenirs. . .wear the colors
and even the type clothes their “hero” wears. . .and sometimes they even try
to look just like them—so great is their obsession.
The Hebrew word “darash” is used here for “seek” and also means “to
tread upon or frequent, to pursue, diligently search for, require, etc.”
Thus, it’s more than just a casual, cursory look here or there; it’s a
“consuming desire” that cannot be satisfied until the object of its
“hungering and thirsting” is found.
In II Kings 15 and II Chronicles 26 we read of Uzziah, the ninth king
of Judah, who ascended to the throne at age 16 and reigned for 52
years—longer than any previous king of Judah or Israel. During most of his
reign the Lord God blessed him with great wisdom, power, possessions,
prosperity, etc.
What was the “secret” of such blessings?
The answer is found in II Chron. 26:5a, “And he sought God in the days
of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God. . .” The same
Hebrew word used for “seek” in today’s Manna is used here. Thus, we should
not be surprised to also read “God helped (Heb. ‘azar’—‘to surround,
protect, aid, succor, etc.’) him” (v.7) and he was “greatly helped” (v.15).
However, we should also read what it says in II Chron. 26:5b: “. .
.and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper (Heb.
‘tsalach’—‘to push forward, break out, be profitable, etc.).” Simply put,
God’s blessings were depending on Uzziah’s “continually and humbly seeking
the Lord.”
And, oh, dear Pilgrim the same is true today.
In Uzziah’s case, his “fame and fortune” soon began going to his head,
causing him to act in sinful, presumptuous ways (II Chron. 26:15b-16).
Humility gave way to haughtiness and contrition gave way to conceit. Even
when 81 priests told him to leave the sanctuary and not offer incense unto
the Lord, he refused—and immediately broke out in leprosy, which would stay
with him until his dying day (II Chron. 26:17-21). May the Spirit help us
today to “seek the Lord while He may be found and call upon Him while He is
near,” never thinking that such blessings are automatic.
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