Needle In A Haystack
Have you ever looked for a needle in a haystack? More than likely not, but maybe you have looked for your phone, your keys, or a wallet. Maybe your car in a parking lot. What a stressful feeling it is when you look everywhere and what is lost, seems impossible to find. I have spent a lot of time looking for things that I cannot find. Looking in, under and around everything I can think of twice and thrice. Knowing, the only place I haven’t looked, is the very spot where it is hiding. In the world we live, I see a lot of people searching for things as well. Power, love, money, entertainment. Looking for that needle in life’s haystack. Searching for that selfish priority in humanity which might be missing. It makes me question if anyone out there is seeking God?
Are You Seeking God?
The Apostle Paul addressed this with his letter to the Romans, “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.” (Romans 3:10-12). Is God like that needle in the haystack? Seemingly impossible to find? Paul must have thought that was the case with the Romans. Who among us are seeking God? I’m afraid we are all guilty at times. Seeking worldly desires that seem way too easy to find. Did I therefore misplace my righteousness?
Part of the problem becomes; I must admit God is missing in my life before I know I must search for Him. Yes, in our sinfulness, we all lose sight of God at times. The sinful gravitational pull towards earth instead of heaven affects us all. Seeking temporary fulfillment, pleasure, or an escape from pain that could produce long term brokenness. As soon as I take my eyes off Jesus, even for just a minute, my mind can be taken over with self-pleasing thoughts. Dropping that needle in the haystack once again. Then the daunting task of finding it, is limited only by my desire to seek God once again.
The Lost Is Found
That is why we are reminded throughout scripture to keep looking. “Seek His presence continually,” (1 Chronicles 16:11, Psalm 105:4). “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart,” (Jeremiah 29:13). God loves those who lovingly seek Him (Proverbs 8:17). God is not hiding. He is always there, everywhere you look. He is so easy to find. Sure, the haystack seems large and the needle small at times. But “we must seek Him first” and everything we need, including purpose in life, daily provisions, family relationships, life’s high and lows… are in plain sight.
As you keep God and your relationship with Him in the center of your life, “all these things will be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). We must not focus about what is impossible to find when we place our trust in Jesus. If we keep our hearts and mind on Christ Jesus, no longer will we need to look for that needle in the haystack. Jesus will point the way, every day. Just seek Him.
Dear Lord, help me seek You and only You when I am lost. Amen.
Romans 3:10-12
1 Chronicles 16:11
Psalm 105:4
Jeremiah 29:13
Proverbs 8:17
Matthew 6:33
— Phil
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Today’s Scripture
Romans 3:10-12
No One Is Righteous
For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, 10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; 11 no one understands; no one seeks for God. 12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
1 Chronicles 16:11
David’s Song of Thanks
10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! 11 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Psalm 105:4
Tell of All His Wondrous Works
3 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! 4 Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
Jeremiah 29:13
Jeremiah’s Letter to the Exiles
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you, declares the Lord,
Proverbs 8:17
The Blessings of Wisdom
17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.
Matthew 6:33
Do Not Be Anxious
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.