We all know what it is to desire something, which becomes a goal we then pursue, and finally becomes experience. The prophet said, “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth” (Hosea 6:3). The idea is “let us know, let us pursue, God will come.” A conservative paraphrase puts it this way, “Oh, that we might know the LORD! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” Notice three distinct thoughts.
Desiring God
“Let us know the Lord” or “Oh, that we might know the Lord!” The bottom line is desire God. Deep down in the heart of every believer, even those who may not be walking with God, is a resonance with such a call. The regenerated human spirit wants God. Therefore, cultivate this desire.
Pursuing God
“Let us pursue God.” “Let us press on to know Him.” This is the natural follow-up to desiring God. The pursuit of God has brought many into personal revival, and in some cases ignited corporate revivals. Seeking God is throughout the Bible, with the promise that He will be found.
Experiencing God
“He will come.” “He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.” What a beautiful picture! God responds to the seeking heart. God prefers to revive rather than to judge.
Revival truth resonates in the hearts of those in need of a fresh encounter with God and those who just long to go deeper with God. Therefore, let us desire God with all our hearts. Let us pursue Him with our entire being. And let us experience God in a new and fresh way.
John Van Gelderen
Post Author
Amen to this! Praying for the Lord in a fresh way to ignite such a desire, pursuit and experience within my heart.