Seek the Lord

Sunday Seminary—2

Know What You Believe. Believe What You Know.

Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually! (Ps. 105:4)

Is this the desire of your heart and mind? Seek the LORD. “Seek and you will find,” Jesus said (Matt. 7:7). Whom are we to seek? The Lord Himself. “Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb. 11:6). Seeking the Lord is paralleled with seek His presence—literally, His face. The Lord’s face smiling upon us in grace is how we know Him. And we’re to seek him continually. Is this the desire of your heart?

If so, then welcome to Sunday Seminary! Our teacher is Jesus, whom Scripture calls our chief prophet and teacher. He teaches by the power of the Holy Spirit, who leads the church into all truth. We’re his students or “disciples.” His classroom is the church. His curriculum is the Word. Our syllabus is the Belgic Confession, written in 1561. It contains 37 articles that outline the fundamentals of the faith. Let’s open up its short opening article:

We all believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that there is a single and simple spiritual being, whom we call God—eternal, incomprehensible, invisible, unchangeable, infinite, almighty; completely wise, just, and good, and the overflowing source of all good.

What Do We Believe About God?

We believe the most foundational truth of all: God is. “In the beginning God” (Gen. 1:1). “Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one” (Deut. 6:4). “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God” (John 17:3).

Just as a house needs a firm foundation to withstand earthquakes, storms, and floods, your faith must rest on something immovable. Our foundation is that God exists: “We all believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths that there is a single and simple spiritual being, whom we call God.”

We believe that God alone is God. You’re not God! He’s not like you! He’s eternal, you’re not. He’s incomprehensible, you’re limited. He’s invisible, we see only what’s in front of us. He’s unchangeable, infinite, almighty, completely wise, just, and good—all in ways beyond our imagination. In theological speak, this is the “Creator-creature distinction.” What it means to be God is entirely different from what it means to be human. That’s what makes him worthy of worship, love, and faith.

Why Do We Believe this about God?

On the one hand, God doesn’t need us to prove His existence—he simply is. He’s also made us in His image; stamping our consciences with the awareness that He exists and that we depend on Him. Yet sin clouds our minds and hearts. To truly know God is a supernatural work: “you must be born again” for any of this to make sense.

On the other hand, belief in God is the most rational thing there is. Where did I come from? Why is there something rather than nothing? Why has every culture throughout history worshiped a higher being? Scripture reveals the answer—its fulfilled prophecies are self-evidencing. The Holy Spirit also bears supernatural witness to its truth in our hearts.

It’s not our job to prove God exists; it’s our calling to proclaim that He does. C.H. Spurgeon illustrated this: imagine a lion in a cage, surrounded by soldiers who think it’s their job to defend it. What’s the best way to defend a lion? Let it out! The Word of God can defend itself.

How Do I Share What We Believe?

When Blue Origin launched a rocket just past the boundary of the atmosphere and space, it required rocket scientists. Thankfully, sharing the faith doesn’t!

First, pray—for yourself and for your neighbors.

Second, know the Word your Teacher has spoken.

Third, be open and available— God delights to use ordinary people.

Fourth, be yourself—genuine faith is the most persuasive.

Fifth, live in God’s presence—He’s always with you!

Seek the LORD’s presence continually so that you’ll know what you believe about God, know why you believe it, and know how to share it with any and all who ask you the reason for your hope.