10 Minute Read + Scripture readings + video
Today’s Bible Reading:
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Deuteronomy 4:29 (CSB): “But from there, you will search for the LORD your God, and you will find him when you seek him with all your heart and all your soul.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
In our verse for today, the reward for searching for the Lord and seeking Him with all of our heart is that we will find Him. We will experience Him if we really crave Him and put the effort in to know and enjoy Him.
But, some folks may not see that it’s worth the effort. They wouldn’t dare say that God isn’t worth it. But, if they are honest with themselves, they just don’t have a desire to pursue God. They’ve got as much of Him as they want.
Let me illustrate why this may be so.
My wife took a business trip to San Diego with a female co-worker the year before we married. During some down time, she and her friend took the opportunity to rent a car and drive 500 miles to the Grand Canyon. They had seen pictures of the Canyon and wanted to see it first hand.
On the next phone call, Kim couldn’t stop talking about the Grand Canyon. She told me of how massive it was and she tried to describe its beauty. Even as we soon married, she frequently informed me that she wanted to take a trip out west so that I could experience the Grand Canyon.
I saw the passion in her eyes. I heard the excitement in her voice. When she spoke of the Grand Canyon, everything in her demeanor made it clear that she had experienced something wonderful. She continued to enjoy the trip in her memories and she wanted me to experience it, too.
But, to be honest, I didn’t get excited when she told me. While I love Kim deeply, and while I enjoy seeing her happy, my heart was completely apathetic about the Grand Canyon. I tried to seem interested as she spoke. I tried to listen intently. I tried not to roll my eyes. But I just wasn’t excited about it.
I remember that there were times when Kim and I went on hikes at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary near Lexington, Kentucky and went on even longer hikes at Natural Bridge State Resort Park in Slade, Kentucky. I would talk about the beauty of those locations. But, Kim would say something like: “It’s beautiful but it can’t be compared to the vastness and beauty of the Grand Canyon.” I found that hard to believe.
A few years ago, we took a family trip out west. We drove to Denver to assist the leadership of a new church plant. We had decided that after our service project was over, we would drive over the Rockies and explore the southeastern corner of Utah and then stay in a cabin at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for one night.
As we drove into northern Arizona and the signs made it clear that we were nearing the Grand Canyon, I began to get excited. But nothing could describe the awe I felt as we drove down highway 67 and began to get glimpses of the massive canyon out the driver side windows. I think that my mouth literally dropped open a few times. I had to force myself to keep my eyes on the road. My eyes wanted to feast upon the massive rugged beauty of the Grand Canyon.
When we finally arrived at the North Rim Lodge, we stepped inside to check into our cabin. The floor-to-ceiling windows that faced the Canyon provided a view that is beyond words to describe. I must have gawked because I don’t even remember checking in. My mind was enjoying the amazing, vast, natural beauty in front of me.
After checking in, we stepped outside and walked to the edge. When we decided to take a picture with our three sons, we didn’t have to say, “Smile!” Everyone naturally smiled. We were in awe of the view!
What was the difference? Why was I apathetic when my wife talked about it after her trip but I was completely awestruck when I saw it for myself? Simply this: we often have to experience something before we can get truly excited about it. We can listen to others and hear their excitement, even see the excitement in their eyes. But our own excitement might have to wait for the moment that we experience it for ourselves.
It’s hard to get excited about something we’ve never experienced.
Friend, maybe the reason you can’t find much joy in the verse I have chosen for today is because you haven’t discovered much of God at all. Maybe, just maybe, you’ve only scratched the surface of the happiness you can have in God. Maybe there is so much more that you didn’t even know exists.
Deuteronomy 4:29 (CSB): “But from there, you will search for the LORD your God, and you will find him when you seek him with all your heart and all your soul.”
Why not commit to seeking the Lord with all your heart. See what happens. You could quite possibly stumble onto the greatest source of happiness that you will ever experience in this life.
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Lord Jesus, I want to know You and enjoy You more! I realize as I read Scripture that Your very presence is what will make Heaven so intoxicatingly spectacular. You are the life source and the One that my heart was made to crave and enjoy. So, help me to get glimpses of Your glory so that I am motivated to pursue You even more so that I can find You and enjoy You. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 