I. Following Hard after God

In a previous post, I talked about how I had just finished reading "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer.  It was really a great book on pursuing a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God.  This is something that every disciple of Christ desires and strives for. 

I'm finding so many ways that Tozer's writing is applicable to my life today. Hope you enjoy.

 

 

I.  Following Hard after God

"My soul followeth hard after thee; thy right hand upholdeth me."
Psalm 63:8

• "Before a sinful man can think a right thought of God, there must have been a work of enlightenment done within him; imperfect it may be, but a true work nonetheless, and the secret cause of all desiring and seeking and praying which may follow."
  It's amazing to me how much importance we tend to put upon ourselves.  We seem to think that all of our efforts are somehow credited to us.  But it is not so. If we think of God, it is because He has done a work in our hearts.  When we accept him, it is because He first pursued us. We wouldn't even be able to comprehend a single verse from His word if He hadn't first opened the eyes of our hearts. 
  
  Out of His amazing love for us, he has chosen to work in our hearts so that we might know him. 

• "Being made in His image we have within us the capacity to know Him.  In our sins we lack only the power.  The moment the Spirit has quickened us to life in regeneration our whole being senses its kinship to God and leaps up in joyous recognition."
  
  Whenever we have truly become regenerated in Christ, our souls leap for joy in the recognition of our Creator.  A sense of rightness, a familiarity that is instantaneous. 

• When religion has said its last word, there is little that we need other than God Himself.  The evil habit of seeking God-and effectively prevents us from finding God in full revelation.  In the "and" lies our great woe.  If we omit the "and" we shall soon find God, and in Him we shall find that for which we have all our lives been secretly longing."
  
  Pursuing only God is extremely fulfilling.  We are all guilty of adding our own desires onto God, but when we strip all of that away we are left with only the longing for God Himself. 
  
  This may seem detrimental to some:  to make our God our all at the expense of all else.  However, when we forsake everything else, we are able to find the deep joy in knowing that God is our everything.
  
  It's so easy to misplace our priorities.  If our main motivator for pursuing Christ is to prosper, or gain peace, or be free from trouble, what happens when we achieve our goal?  Or, what if we fail to find what we're looking for? 
  
  In life, we will have trials and suffering.  There will be days that everything goes wrong and our patience has been worn over thin.  What do we do when we aren't living "our best life now", despite all of our efforts?  (Don't worry, I'll be addressing the unbiblical ministries of many of today's leading teachers in the future)When we pursue God simple to be close to Him, we find that even when we are sick, even when we are suffering, even when the kids are testing our patience and we feel like giving up, we still have God.
  
  When we are sick, we know that God is caring for us and waiting for us at the end of the road.
  
  When we face persecution for following God, we are able to know that He is fully there and fully understands.  In the end, our reward is in heaven.
  
  And when our patience is gone, we know that we have a Heavenly Father that we can run to.  How wonderful to know that when I am at my wits end, my God can fill me up with his love and patience! 

These are just a few of my thoughts about the first chapter of The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer.  What are your thoughts on the book?  How is the wisdom found in this chapter applicable to your life? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!