Following Hard after God

The following are points from the book, "The Pursuit of God", by A. W. Tozer, a man of God from Chicago, Illinois. What he wrote in 1948 is relevant even today. 

The purpose of including his message in point form is so that it would at least whet one's appetite, and that "there may be those who can light their candle at its flame."

This book has been published by Christian Publications, Inc. Harrisburg, PA.

1. Before a man can seek God, God must first have sought the man. We pursue God because, and only because, He has first put an urge within us that spurs us to the pursuit. This is prevenient grace.
   
2. All the time we are pursuing Him we are already in His hand. (Psalm 63:8)
   
3. It is inherent in personality to be able to know other personalities, but full knowledge of one personality by another is achieved only after long and loving mental intercourse. God is a person, and in the deep of His mighty nature thinks, wills, enjoys, feels, loves, desires and suffers as any other person may. He communicates to us through the avenues of our mind, our wills and our emotions. The continuous and unembarrassed interchange of love and thought between God and the soul of the redeemed man is the throbbing heart of New Testament religion.
   
4. Our heavenly birth is not an end but the beginning of glorious pursuits - exploration of the infinite riches of the Godhead.
   
5. To have found God and still to pursue Him is the paradox of our soul.
   
6. The hungry heart is not satisfied with just "accepting" Christ. It wants to taste, to touch, to see with its inner eyes the wonder that is God.
   
7. The longing heart can never be satisfied by programmes, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities but by simplicity which is in Christ.
   
8. The man who had God for his treasure has all things in One. For having the Source of all things he has in One all satisfaction, all pleasure, all delight.

Beautiful Rendition of the Holy Trinity

Who is this within the veil who dwells in fiery manifestations? It is none other than God Himself, "One God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible," and "One Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God; begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God; begotten, not made; being of one substance with the Father," and "the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified."

Yet this holy Trinity is One God, for "we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, is all one: the glory equal and the majesty co-eternal."

So in part run the ancient creeds, and so the inspired Word declares.
 

- The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer

Our dependence, God's glory

If you quote James 1:2 when sharing with people, not many would be too enthusiastic in their response. You would only need to look at their faces to gauge that.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds."

I have begun to realize what a great opportunity it is to use times of trials to prove the faithfulness of the word of God. The times of testing of faith are able to develop perseverance to depend on God. It is often our reluctance to persevere in times of trial that makes us choose the easy way out. I have several times been guilty of this and that is why I now see it as a great opportunity to remain joyous in times of trial and testing.

Times of trial make us completely dependent on God. We look to Him for help. We bring our cares to Him crying, “Lord, I cast my anxieties on You because You care for me.” (1Pet. 5:7) “You are my Helper; I will not be afraid.” (Heb. 13:6) Day and night our thoughts are on Him – looking to Him to save us. 

It is this dependence on God that pleases Him. Psalm 147:10,11 says: “His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.” 

When through perseverance we delight in our dependence on God and His word – verses on our wall calendar; our favourite scripture; that beautiful chorus or hymn we sing in church – all jump alive in our heart. Our faith begins to affirm in all sincerity, “You are my God who never fails. You remain faithful forever.” 

It is this faith, (this dependence; this perseverance) that pleases God immensely. It glorifies Him. He is exalted. 

There is no way our times of trial can compare with those of the Lord Jesus. Yet, to understand how joyous obedience to God’s will (and dependence on His perfect ways) glorifies God, look at John 12:27,28. “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father glorify Your name!” 

We need to persevere so that when we have done the will of God, we will receive what He has promised. (And let us not forget that it is always the best.) For in just a very little while, He who is coming will come and will not delay. But His righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, God will not be pleased with him.” (Heb. 10:36-38) Praise God for the abundant grace He gives to believe in His unfailing, faithful and perfect character. Let us cling to this grace and make use of such opportunities while it is still ‘Today’.