Weekly Devotional: Pursued by God

We are often told to “pursue God” and “draw near to God.” The Bible encourages it: “Your face, LORD, I will seek” (Psalm 27:8 NKJV). The Bible makes clear that God can be found by those who pursue Him. So, at times, the action falls upon us to pursue God.

The Bible also makes clear, however, that God pursues us: “You hunt me like a lion” (Job 10:16 HCSB). The God of the Bible does not sit idle waiting for us to approach Him; He is not passive. Rather, He pursues us.

The writer of Psalm 23 expresses God’s active pursuit of His people with the phrase, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life” (verse 6). Many translations read, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me,” and while this is an accurate literal translation, it fails to capture the essence of the language.

First, the term “mercy” carries a deeper sense than a passing feeling. In Hebrew the word refers to God’s covenantal mercy, something that is sure and certain. It is not dependent upon a capricious emotion but is bound to God’s covenant with His people.

Also, the psalmist is not saying that the goodness and mercy of God follow after me as something I leave in my wake, nor does he mean that God’s goodness and mercy follow me, chasing me but never able to catch me.

The term used by the psalmist, usually translated as “follow,” is the Hebrew word radaf, a military term meaning to “pursue with the intent of overtaking.” In other words, God’s goodness and mercy pursue me aggressively, as an army does its fleeing foe, seeking to surround me and overtake me.

Quite often, the cares of life can be overwhelming. When we approach God, He can feel distant and far off. The God of the Bible, however, is One whose covenant mercy pursues us daily. He pursues us. And that is a comforting feeling. He not only asks us to seek Him, but He seeks after us.

Today, will we allow ourselves to be found by Him?

PRAYER

Father, open my eyes to all of the ways You are pursuing me. May Your goodness and covenant mercy surround me and overtake me. May I also be aware that You actively pursue all people, as You do me. Amen.

Comments(15)

Timothy says
July 5, 2022 at 1:54 pm

Would you not ,nor Jesus sake, support our extremely poor allies in Israel, will you please support with a donation
Timothy says
July 5, 2022 at 1:56 pm

Would you not , for Jesus sake, support our extremely poor allies in Israel, will you please support with a donation, it may cost you, you will rewarded in heaven.
- REPLY
  Udelia Ann Sherman says
  January 18, 2023 at 12:50 pm
  
  I love My Lord Father God. I love Jesus Christ My Savior. I am part Jewish ✡️. I wasn’t raised in the Jewish community but my Grandmother was a Jew. I never had the chance to meet her as she died before I was born 💔. I crave within my heart to know more of the Jewish ✡️ ways, to be a part of The Community of Jews. God’s Blessings Brother, Sister In Christ Jesus Holy is His Name. Amen
  - REPLY
    Vera ANDERSON says
    January 20, 2023 at 2:37 am
    
    A-men.Praise the Lord. We are the seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. The Children of the Most high God. There is no respect of a person. Jehovah and Yush a and the Holy Spirit or one. It was because of our Elder Brother and High Priest Jesus Christ son of the Living God that thru the faith from your heart ❤️ that thou are saved.We must believe to receive in the name of
Pamela Purvis says
August 6, 2022 at 2:28 am

Yes, Jesus loves you Israel and we do too.
Pray for the peace of Israel, they shall prosper that love thee.
Pamela Purvis says
August 6, 2022 at 2:33 am

The eternal blood of Jesus Christ of Nazareth covers you, and the holy angels of the Lord God Almighty surrounds you and gives you His victory. In Jesus Name.
- REPLY
  Otto Frederick Ghrist IV says
  January 16, 2023 at 3:01 pm
  
  God’s holy angels protect me from anyone or thing that would harm me spiritually or any weapon that would be raised against me.
  - REPLY
    Ailene wilkins says
    January 19, 2023 at 6:06 pm
    
    May the blessing of the lord forever be with my sisters and brothers in Israel.
    
    Jean S. says
    January 22, 2023 at 10:08 am
    
    Yes!!! 🙏
    AMEN 💙🇮🇱🥰
    Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
    ✡️
    Thank you for sharing your
    Love– Your God with the world!!! 💜✝️🙏✡️🇮🇱💙
  - REPLY
    Judith says
    January 23, 2023 at 4:28 am
    
    “Be still and know that I am God
    I will never leave you or forsake you.
    Be blessed!
    Have a good day
Sharon Pendergast says
January 13, 2023 at 1:48 am

I love Israel and the Jews
Sharon Pendergast says
January 13, 2023 at 2:01 am

I love Israel and the Jews
If i was younger and had no ailments
i would go over there and volunteer
as a nurse ( i’m an R N ) or wherever
needed . I would do whatever to help.
Brigitte R Sorensen says
January 14, 2023 at 7:33 am

Am Fond of Israel & the jewish people
Ruth Hartline says
January 15, 2023 at 10:46 pm

The Jewish nation is proof of God’s existence. He scattered the Jewish people into all nations and now He is gathering them back to Israel. This was prophesied in the Old Testament. God’s Word is true!
Vera ANDERSON says
January 20, 2023 at 2:42 am

A-men.Praise the Lord. We are the seed of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. The Children of the Most high God. There is no respect of a person. Jehovah and Yush a and the Holy Spirit or one. It was because of our Elder Brother and High Priest Jesus Christ son of the Living God that thru the faith from your heart ❤️ that thou are saved.We must believe to receive in the name of Jesus Christ. And because God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him shall have Enteral life . Because of that loved I have and want to know ball about my Lord Jesus place where he lived and my brother s and sister in Israel. I Stand with Israel. Praying for Peace in Israel. His Daughter Minister Vera Anderson.