Seeking His Face

“My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, LORD, I will seek.” Psalm 27:8 NIV

So far, the only agricultural accomplishment our family farm has been able to achieve is the production of several large herds of cats. Needless to say, when my kids begged me to keep another precious little bundle of feline joy, I was not thrilled. Skeptical, I asked them to elaborate on which particular kitten they wanted to keep. In reply, they produced the ugliest little striped brown creature you have ever seen.

Now, I’m a cat lover. But we already had five cats, and I didn’t want another one – especially that homely little thing! I said “No!” But several months later, I discovered that no one else wants an ugly, little, striped, brown kitten, either. So, we named her Snickers.

I would like to tell you that our ugly, little, striped, brown kitten grew up into a beautiful swan. But actually, she just grew up into a big ugly cat. Nevertheless, as ugly as Snickers was, she eventually became my favorite.

Every time I ventured out to feed my little herd, I’d get ambushed by a mob of bellowing hungry balls of fur. But as soon as I filled their dishes, they all forsook me. No more purring. No more rubbing up against my leg. No more clawing for my attention.

All except Snickers, who made every effort she could to get as close to me as possible—even to the point of climbing up my robe to “seek my face.” The only thing the other cats ever cared about was getting whatever they could from my hand. As soon as they got it, they were gone.

I wonder sometimes, if that’s how God feels when we flock to church on Sundays. We all come running, purring out songs of worship and praise. We adore him until He fills our dishes with whatever we are hungry for— and then we’re off!

God desires and deserves so much more from us. He rescued us from the ugliness of our sin and shame. Every morning, He offers to feed our hungry souls and invites us to sit in His lap and enjoy His affection. He deserves for us to make every effort to draw as close to Him as possible—to climb up His robe and “seek His face.” His greatest joy is to hear us purr because we love His company – not just because we love His blessings.

Have you made every effort today to draw as close to God as possible?

Have you sought the blessings of His presence, along with the blessings of His hand?

Take a moment, right now and…

Allow God to feed your hungry soul.
Thank God for the blessings of His hand.
Draw as close to Him as possible.
Seek His face.
Enjoy His affection.
Purr in His presence.

“Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.” Psalm 24:3-6 NIV

Copyright © Kathy Thomas. Used by permission.