Finding God
“The atheist can’t find God for the same reason that a thief can’t find a policeman.”
No one can find God except that they seek Him. From the beginning, the natural human mind has not done so. “The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:2–3). Sadly, apart from those who have responded to God’s call, there has been little to no change. If anything, the condition is presently worsening.
Christ speaks to those who have responded to our Father’s call. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8). Our God is very accessible to those who ask, seek and knock. This inspired formula is as encouraging and helpful as it sounds … with understanding.
First, we need to understand what does not work. “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts” (Psalm 10:4). Pride will cause us to eventually rely on all our own thoughts instead of all of God’s. The antidote, however, is found in verse 17. “Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; You will cause Your ear to hear” (Psalm 10:17). God hears the prayers of the humble who seek Him because He is in not just some, but all of their thoughts.
The Apostle Paul adds more understanding. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). The humble, whose minds are fixed on God’s thoughts, believe fully that He will reward their internal craving for His guidance and help. They are not worried about finding Him, they know without doubt they have found Him.
Another aspect of asking, seeking, and knocking is found in Proverbs. “I love them that love me; And those that seek me early shall find me” (Proverbs 8:17). The proud may think, “If, by chance, my own reasonings should fail, then I will consider trying God’s instruction sometime in the future.” The problem is that tomorrow — the future — never comes. So, the wise and faithful confidently seek God early, today.
The Apostle John adds additional insight. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him” (1 John 5:14–15). The more God’s thoughts become our thoughts, the more we will be able to perceive His will and accept it as our own. Then we will ask, and it will be given to us.
God can be found if we seek Him.Marshall Stiver
