December 7 - The Gift of Searching

"You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV)

In Matthew 2:1-12, the wise men were searching for Jesus, but really God was initiating the relationship with them. John 6:44 says, "No one comes to Me unless the Father Who sent Me draws them." No one seeks after God first - before you were searching for Him, He was wooing you to Himself. You must respond, but He is drawing you.

These wise men from Persia had about a three-month journey to get to Bethlehem. How did they know what to look for? A star was directing them, but perhaps they had Numbers 24:17 in mind, "A star will come out of Jacob. A scepter shall rise out of Israel." During the Babylonian exile, faithful Jews may have planted seeds about a future Messiah in the hearts of those in Persia, telling them a star would point the way.

God always speaks loud enough for a willing ear to hear. The gift that you can think about this Christmas is the gift of seeking. Some of you didn't grow up in a Christian home, yet you were hungry for God. Why? That curiosity is a gift from God to you. You are seeking Him because He first sought you.

Seeking includes our investigation - they investigated with holy religious leaders and got further information from God's Word. But it starts with God's initiation, continues with our investigation, and leads to God's illumination.

Reflection Question: What "star" is God using to draw you closer to Him right now?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of spiritual hunger. Thank You for placing within my heart the desire to know You better. Help me respond to Your leading as the wise men responded to the star. Give me persistence in seeking You and faith to follow where You lead. In Jesus' Name, amen.