Great Pursuits: Chasing What Matters Most in LifeSample

Pursue Knowledge 

The pursuit of the knowledge of the Lord reflects the heart attitude you and I should have today as believers. It’s the same call the prophet Hosea issued when he called the people of Israel back to a covenant relationship with God declaring, “Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord. His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth” (Hosea 6:3).

God’s plan is that you continually grow in knowledge and that your relationship with Him advances and deepens as time goes on. And since God is infinite, knowing Him is a never ending journey. Hosea also reveals a beautiful truth in that same verse quoted above: when you do pursue the knowledge of the Lord, He will come to you! You will be visited by His Spirit, which is what the figure of the latter and former rain refers to. 

The question then arises, how do you pursue the knowledge of the Lord? There are many wonderful ways God invites you to deepen your knowledge of Him, but let’s consider just two today:

A good place for you to begin pursuing the knowledge of God is nature. Psalm 19:1 proclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” 

Creation speaks to the human heart about the Creator. Personally, I would rather be outdoors than indoors any day. I love to hike and fish. I love to be on the sea or to sit in my yard and watch the sunset or gaze at the stars at night. Without fail, nature seems to always whisper to my heart about the mysteries of God. The Scriptures tell us to look at the birds, consider the lilies, and to observe the ants, for God has hidden lessons for us in all aspects of His creation. Even Martin Luther declared that God had written the promise of resurrection on every leaf of springtime.

Another avenue to pursue the knowledge of the Lord is through His Word. The Bible is a book of God’s thoughts. It reveals His nature, His will, and His purpose for mankind. Through it, He brings us into a deep and abiding relationship with Himself. Without it, we are like a boat adrift on a sea of uncertainty, only catching occasional glimpses of the shore. But when you read it and prayerfully reflect upon its truths, it is like an invitation to come ashore and explore the endless mysteries of who He is.

God has breathed His very life into His Word (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus said that the words He spoke were spirit and life. When you study and meditate upon His Word, it does more than fill your head with knowledge. It leads to a progressive discovery and encounter with God Himself.

Action Step

Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God is “living and powerful.” That’s because it is synonymous with the living and powerful God. To spend prayerful time in Scripture is to spend time with His Spirit. Take a moment to look at your schedule and find a time you can dive into God’s Word regularly.