“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.” (1 Chron. 6:11)
This verse encourages us to actively seek the Lord, His strength, and His presence continually. The Bible points out the importance of a consistent and dedicated pursuit of God. Just as we seek physical sustenance daily, we are encouraged to seek the Lord’s strength and presence continually. We do not seek Heavenly Father only when we think we need Him, or on some special occasion, but rather we should be seeking in on a daily basis. This should be our spiritual habit.
In this verse, we can also see the idea of maintaining a close relationship with God through persistent prayer, study of His Word, and living in obedience to His Commandments. Our strength ultimately comes from the Lord, and by seeking Him continually, we are better equipped in dealing with life’s ups and downs. This is because we have His guidance and support. Individuals are encouraged to seek guidance directly from God through the Holy Ghost. This guidance can come in many forms, such as thoughts, feelings, promptings, dreams, or impressions. However, to receive this personal revelation, one must actively seek it through faith, prayer, and righteous living. Without regularly seeking the Lord, we could miss out on vital words from the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost can provide essential guidance and direction tailored to our needs. This guidance can range from making important life decisions to receiving comfort during difficult times. Without this regular seeking and receptivity to the Holy Ghost, we might miss out on these vital messages.
…each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed “receive the Holy Ghost” and its attendant spiritual gifts. “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33)…Do we likewise remember to pray earnestly and consistently for that which we should most desire, even the Holy Ghost? Or do we become distracted by the cares of the world and the routine of daily living and take for granted or even neglect this most valuable of all gifts? Receiving the Holy Ghost starts with our sincere and constant desire for His companionship in our lives… Conversely, casualness about or the breaking of covenants and commitments, failing to pray and study the scriptures, and inappropriate thoughts, actions, and language cause the Spirit to withdraw from or to avoid us altogether. (Elder David A. Bednar, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Receive the Holy Ghost“)
The Holy Ghost can teach, comfort, and testify of truth, but we must be in tune with the Spirit to receive these blessings. This requires consistent effort and a sincere desire to align our will with God’s will.
In the Book of Mormon there is a powerful verse that reinforces the thought of seeking the Lord to receive guidance from the Holy Ghost. In Alma 34:27, it says: “Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.”
Through this ongoing seeking and receptivity, we open ourselves to personal revelation and guidance that can shape our decisions, provide comfort, and lead us along the path that God has prepared for us.
