Cry Out to Seek His Face

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” —Matthew 5:6

The Lord wants us to come to Him to tell Him what we need, but more importantly, we need to go to God to be near Him, to rest in His presence.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in what is directly in front of us. Our desires, tasks, health, priorities, opinions of others, and much more are constantly battling for our attention. How do we combat the distractions and seek His face more than anything else?

Perhaps we start with a different question: Where is your thirst? When we thirst for what the world has to offer, we will never be satisfied. Our focus narrows in on our own well-being, pleasures, and to-do lists and we get caught up in seeking what God can do for us. The tide changes when we thirst for God Himself. Jesus says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied” (Matt. 5:6).

When a desire for His righteousness invades our hearts, our worries, lists, cares, and concerns no longer carry the weight they once had. Seeking His face changes how we view circumstances, material possessions, and relationships because we no longer rely on them to fill us. Jesus said we will be filled when we hunger and thirst after righteousness. He is all we need.

May the Lord give each of us a heart to seek Him, to crave a glimpse of His face, and to taste His righteousness. As we come to Him, He fulfills our thirst.

Editor’s Note: Today’s devotion was adapted from Mary Kassian’s prayer for True Woman ’16. Listen to it here. 

How to Pray

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; 
  be gracious to me and answer me! 
You have said, “Seek my face.” 
My heart says to you, 
  “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” 
  Hide not your face from me. 
Turn not your servant away in anger, 
  O you who have been my help. 
Cast me not off; forsake me not, 
  O God of my salvation! (Ps. 27:7–9)

What to Pray

• Ask the Lord to help you seek His face above anything else.
• Pray for discipline to put aside the distractions of your day and for a deep desire for His righteousness.
• As you ask God for this transforming work in your heart, pray for those joining this challenge, that they may begin to hunger and thirst for righteousness in their hearts.