Seek Him Diligently

Thora Evans

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him (God) for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him” – Hebrews 11:6. We want to consider the last part of this verse, concerning a diligent seeking after God.

The word translated “diligently” here comes from the Greek “ekzeeto” and this is the only place in scripture where it is translated this way. The word diligent found throughout the New Testament is derived from an entirely different Greek words. Strong’s concordance defines “ekzeeto” as meaning – to search out or investigate, to crave or demand also to worship. In Luke 11:50 we find it translated “May be required,”  in verse 51 of the same chapter it is “shall be required.” The thought here seems to indicate a demand. In Acts 15:17 the translation is “might seek after,” this seems to indicate the thought of desperation. We find “ekzeeto” again in Rom. 3:11 translated “seeketh after,” and in I Peter 1:10 it is translated “have inquired” indicating an investigation. Lastly in Heb. 12:17 we find the words “sought carefully” coming from the same Greek word. Here the thought seems to be of a craving.

These different references, then, ought to give us an understanding of all that is involved in the though of diligently seeking God. We are not involved in an idle question or two, but rather a thorough investigation. Much more is involved than just a casual interest, it is a life long search. It was far more than just wistful dreaming of something nice to have, it is that which the soul demands. Far more is involved then a passing interest, it is an all consuming passion, again more than just a pleasant thought, it is a Holy obsession. Notice also that our text reads “seek Him.” We are not just to seek knowledge but a personal, intimate fellowship with God Himself.

For an example let us look at Abraham, in Gen. 14:17-24 and in 15:1. In Melchizedek’s blessing on Abraham, he introduces God as “Possessor of heaven and earth.” I do not believe that Abraham did not have some prior realization of this fact, but suddenly the full light of this glorious revelation flooded his soul. His response is a wonderful lesson to us of faith in action. In verse 22 Abraham confessed this revelation but it involved more than just a confession of the lips, he was staking his claim on that fact even it is meant offending the king of Sodom. In chapter 15 verse 1, God appeared to Abraham and gave him a glorious promise, a further revelation. Not only was he possessor of heaven and earth, He was also Abraham’s shield and exceeding great reward. (Revelation received is a stepping stone to more light. Revelation refused becomes a stumbling stone and leads to darkness). God told Abraham “I am thy shield and EXCEEDING GREAT REWARD.” The Lord is the reward of all His dear people, but the exceeding great reward of those who diligently seek Him and believe Him to be the exceeding great rewarder.

Let us look at David. The Psalms are a record of the revelation God had given him and of David’s response to God. Psalm 27:4 & 8, reads, “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to enquire in His temple. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said un to thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” In Psalm 57:7, David says, “my heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed.” Does that not sound like Col. 3:2, “set your affection on things above.” We also read in Psalm 107:9, “He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness,” and in 17:15, “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” David knew the Lord was His reward, he found satisfaction in Him but it was a kind of unsatisfied satisfaction, the more he got to know the Lord the more he wanted of Him. Isn’t that the way it is, saints. We enjoy His fellowship now, He fills and thrills our hearts, but we long for more. We know the best is yet to come. When we are with Him our capacity for satisfaction will be so much more, there will be no limitations of the flesh, our glorified bodies will have a capacity that knows no bounds.

Let us look at what Hebrews 11:24-26 says about Moses. He could have lived as a prince but he chose the place of affliction with God’s people. He esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, “for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.” He understood what is written in Rom. 8:18 that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” We sing “it will be worth it all when we see Jesus.” Yes, our life long search will bring eternal joys.

I have heard the story that when Albert Einstein lay dying he was expressing the sadness of an unfulfilled life. All his life he had been seeking for the secret of the universe and though he had made many great discoveries, he had missed that one key to everything else. He was not a man of faith, he sought in the realms of human intellect that which only faith in God can comprehend. What an example of persistence he is. He searched all his life, it was his one goal, his one aim and his death bed confession showed what great importance his search was to him. Beloved, we have met the Creator of the universe. He has revealed Himself to us and condescended to share his secrets with us. It is not the creation that we are delving into but a search after the Creator, Himself.

The Apostle Paul in his farewell words to the Ephesians and speaking of the trials he knew lay ahead of him, was able to say, none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy.” Again in Phil. 3:11 he said, “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” He was determined, his heart was fixed, he had but one desire, one goal in life. He was looking for a knowledge of God that would assure him a first rank position in glory. Such a place is reserved for those who have diligently sought the Lord and given Jesus a first rank place in their lives now.

In closing, let us heed the admonition of Heb. 12:1-2, “Let us lay aside every weight and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, LOOKING UNTO JESUS the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy set before Him endured the cross despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of God.” Looking unto Jesus: the word “looking” means to “to consider attentively.” That is to be our lifelong occupation, all else we do is only secondary. Jesus went to the cross, held back nothing in his determination to do the Father’s will and redeem us  to Himself. His joy and reward will be to have a people for Himself. Our exceeding great reward will be that people who win Him. God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.