How are you? How is your week going? What have you been searching for?
At my college, near the time of graduation, each senior class elects a Senior Man and a Senior Woman. It’s a recognition of faithfulness and excellence. When I entered as a freshmen, to my shame, it was my goal to make as many friends as possible, so that I can be elected with that recognition at the end of my college tenure. During that first year, I poured myself out, trying to win the approval of my peers. At the end of that year, I was spent. I was dissatisfied. Trying to pursue that award would be a futile task.
First, there were so many more godly, faithful, and excellent men than me. Second, I realized that man’s approval does not ultimately satisfy. Lastly, I realized that the pursuit of faithfulness and excellence is built on the pursuit of God. Or more accurately, it is based on His pursuit of us.
False gods lead to futile searches. I saw that with my idolatry of man’s approval in college. We saw that yesterday with Laban in Genesis 31. His gods did nothing for him and his household. Laban was emptied and plundered. They were powerless to be found.
But the True God leads to faithful salvation. He is the only One that satisfies our thirsty souls. He is the only One who fulfills our longing hearts. He is the One who has preserved, protected, and blessed Jacob. He is the One that is powerful and sovereign. He is not the god who has to be found. He is the God who finds and pursues.
We see this through His Son, Jesus Christ. He pursued us by becoming a man, living the perfect life for our righteousness, and dying the death that we deserve. He was the One who was emptied to the point of death on the cross so we may be full. He died so that we can be preserved. He was naked so that we can be protected. He was cursed so that we can be blessed. We are preserved eternally. We are protected eschatologically. We are blessed spiritually.
Do you trust in Him, or do you trust in powerless idols? Do you believe that He is your God and your Provider, or do you attribute what you have to someone or something else? Do you believe in Jesus as your Savior, or are you still searching?
Take some time this week and confess to the Lord the false gods you are searching for. Repent of your idols, and seek the God who has sought you first in Christ. And drink the Living Water who thirsted on the cross for you.
See you on Sunday for Lord’s Day Worship. Continue to pray for one another.
In Christ,
Pastor Tim
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