Pursue = Follow Hard

 This week’s prompt from Five Minute Friday is the word, “pursue.”

 

I’ve written a few times in the past about goodness and mercy pursuing us (as found in Psalm 23:6); but today I wanted to try it from the opposite direction:  a believer’s pursuit of God.

 

Here’s my five minutes:

 

When I thought about pursuing God, this verse came to mind.

 

Psalm 63:8 AMPC
My whole being follows hard after You and clings closely to You; Your right hand upholds me.

 

The most important thing in anyone’s life is whether they are in right standing with God.

 

As a believer, I treasure the words of Christ. As a dyed-in-the-wool rule follower, I love knowing what the rules are so I know what to do. Christ told us the most important rule we can follow which can be found here:

 

Mark 12:29-31 The Message
Jesus said, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.”

 

I love that translation – love God with “all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.” In other words, “follow hard,” like Psalm 63:8 directs. In the original language, the phrase translated “follow hard” means  to catch by pursuit, overtake, pursue hard.

 

If you don’t want to follow hard after him, can that mean you really don’t want to know Him?

 

But let’s ask the question, why pursue God?

 

Because fellowship with Christ is everything.

 

Because He rewards pursuit.

 

Hebrews 11:6 New King James Version
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

 

I believe diligently pursuing or seeking Him is the most worthwhile thing I can do with my life.

What do you want to pursue?

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If you would like to read my posts about pursue as used in Psalm 23:6, click on these links:

The First Faves of 2019

The Journey's Weekly Check-Up #4

Why Would I Fear the Future

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I wrote this post in response to Five Minute Friday's prompt, "original." In the interest of full disclosure, I wrote the above post in 5 minutes, but took extra time to make a graphic and look up scripture references.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

This time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series A Rich and Satisying Life. (No, it’s not about money.)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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