"How to experience true Revival" Part III

‘Seeking God’s Face’

Psalms 63:1-5 “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: My soul thirsteth for thee, My flesh longeth for thee In a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see thy power and thy glory, So as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; And my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:”

I. Intro

As we continue our sermon on how to experience true personal revival, we come to the final step. That is seeking God’s face. After we have been born again, and received Christ into our lives, we must genuinely repent with a humble heart, seeking God’s face wholeheartedly. Then, and only then will God revive us. We must be like David when he wrote the 63rd Psalm. The desire to seek God's face is not only a sign of our faith but also the foundation of our relationship with Him. The Bible is filled with stories of people who sought God's face, who sought to be in His presence, who sought to know Him more deeply. And the good news is that we, too, can seek God's face and find Him. But what does it mean to seek God's face? Seeking God's face means seeking an intimate and personal relationship with Him, a relationship where we can experience His love, His grace, and His power. It means putting aside our own desires and seeking Him above all else. It means humbling ourselves before Him and acknowledging that we need Him in our lives. One of the key ways we can seek God's face is through prayer. Prayer is a way for us to communicate with God, to express our gratitude, our fears, our doubts, and our hopes. When we pray, we are seeking God's face, we are seeking to know Him more deeply, and we are inviting Him to be a part of our lives. Another way to seek God's face is through reading and studying the Bible. The Bible is God's Word, and it reveals who He is and how He works in our lives. When we read the Bible, we are seeking to understand God's character and His will for our lives. We are seeking to know Him more deeply, and we are inviting Him to guide us on our journey of faith. Additionally, seeking God's face means living a life that is pleasing to Him. It means loving others, serving others, and obeying His commands. It means putting our trust in Him and relying on His strength and wisdom to guide us through the ups and downs of life. Brothers and sisters, seeking God's face is not always easy, but it is always worth it. When we seek God's face, we find a love that is greater than any other love, a grace that is greater than any sin, and a power that is greater than any obstacle. Let us, therefore, seek God's face with all our heart, mind, and soul, and may our relationship with Him continue to grow and flourish.

Imagine a young woman who has just started a new job. She is excited about the opportunity but also nervous about the challenges ahead. As she navigates through her first few days, she realizes that there is one person in the company who has a wealth of knowledge and experience and can help her through the learning curve. This person is the CEO of the company. The young woman decides to seek out the CEO and ask for his guidance. She is intimidated by his position and is not sure if he will have time for her, but she knows that she needs his help. So, she schedules a meeting with him and prepares to present her questions and concerns. On the day of the meeting, the young woman is nervous but determined. As she enters the CEO's office, she sees him sitting at his desk, focused on his computer. She clears her throat to get his attention, and he looks up and greets her warmly. The young woman begins to ask her questions, and the CEO listens intently, offering his advice and encouragement. As she speaks with him, she realizes that he is not only knowledgeable but also kind and approachable. She feels a sense of peace and gratitude wash over her as she seeks his face. In the same way, when we seek God's face, we are approaching the One who has all the answers, all the wisdom, and all the love that we need. We may feel intimidated by His power and authority, but we can be sure that He is always willing to listen to us, to guide us, and to comfort us. Like the young woman, we may feel nervous about approaching God, but when we seek His face, we will find that He is approachable and kind. He will listen to our prayers and offer us His advice and encouragement. And as we seek His face, we will find the peace and gratitude that come from knowing that we are loved and cared for by the Creator of the universe.

II. Seeking God’s Face in Prayer

Prayer is one of the most powerful and effective ways to seek God's face. When we pray, we are communicating with God and expressing our desires, needs, and concerns to Him. We are inviting Him to be a part of our lives and to guide us on our journey of faith. But seeking God's face in prayer is more than just reciting a list of requests or desires. It involves a deep and sincere desire to know God more intimately, to draw closer to Him, and to align our will with His. When we seek God's face in prayer, we are acknowledging that we need Him in our lives, that we cannot do it on our own. We are admitting our weaknesses and our shortcomings and asking Him to fill us with His strength and His grace. Seeking God's face in prayer also involves listening to Him. Prayer is not just a one-way conversation where we talk to God, but it is also a time to listen to His voice and to be still before Him. When we listen to God, we are seeking His guidance and His direction for our lives. Finally, seeking God's face in prayer involves faith. We must believe that God hears our prayers and that He will answer them according to His will. We must trust that He knows what is best for us and that He will work all things for our good. So, as we seek God's face in prayer, let us come before Him with humility and sincerity, asking Him to reveal Himself to us and to guide us on our journey of faith. Let us listen to His voice and trust in His wisdom and His love. And let us believe that He is always with us, listening to our prayers, and answering them according to His perfect will.

Deuteronomy 4:29 “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”

III. Seeking God’s Face in His Word

Seeking God's face in the Bible involves actively pursuing a deeper relationship with Him through reading, studying, and meditating on His Word. Here are some steps to follow:

1. Set aside a regular time to read the Bible: Choose a time and place where you can focus on reading the Bible without any distractions. Make it a daily habit to read and study the Bible.

2. Pray for guidance: Ask God to guide you as you read the Bible. Ask Him to reveal His will and wisdom to you through His Word.

3. Meditate on the Scriptures: Take time to reflect on the verses you read. Ask yourself what God is trying to tell you and how you can apply it to your life.

4. Listen to the Holy Spirit: Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit as you read the Bible. Allow Him to speak to you and reveal the deeper truths of God's Word.

5. Obey what you learn: As you read the Bible, be willing to apply what you learn to your life. Seek to obey God's commands and live according to His will.

6. Worship God: As you seek God's face in the Bible, take time to worship Him. Give thanks for His goodness and faithfulness, and praise Him for who He is.

Psalms 42:2 “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?”

Remember, seeking God's face is a journey that requires persistence, patience, and humility. Keep seeking Him with all your heart, and He will reveal Himself to you.

Lamentations 3:25 “The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”

IV. Conclusion

In conclusion, seeking God's face is not just a one-time event, but it is a lifelong journey of growing closer to Him. It is a journey that requires effort, commitment, and obedience. When we seek God's face, we invite Him to work in our lives, to guide us, and to transform us into the people He created us to be. As we spend time in His Word, meditate on His truths, and listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can experience the joy and peace that comes from being in His presence. So, let us commit ourselves to seek God's face with all our hearts, trusting that He will reveal Himself to us and empower us to live for His glory. And may we never forget that as we seek Him, we will find Him, and the rewards of this journey will be infinitely greater than we could ever imagine.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”