As I was reading the Bible on New Year’s Day, a certain Bible verse seemed to really stand out to me. It was Jeremiah 24:7 and it says, “I will give them hearts that recognize me as the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me wholeheartedly.”
While I reflected on this scripture, I felt the Holy Spirit was illuminating to me the numbers of the Bible verse of Jeremiah 24:7 with the idea of seeking the Lord wholeheartedly 24/7; that is, seeking the Lord 24 hours a day, seven days a week, during Year 2024.
We see this same type of encouragement to always seek the Lord in Psalms 105:4 and in 1 Chronicles 16:11 which both say, “Search for the Lord and for his strength; continually seek him.”
As we seek the Lord with all our hearts, we can’t help but receive many wonderful benefits because of who he is and what his Word promises us. The greatest benefit we receive as we seek him is his presence. Jeremiah 29:13 says, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.”
Another benefit we receive is his joy. We see that in Psalm 40:16 which says, “But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you.”
A result of having the Lord’s presence and joy from seeking him is that we’ll have his radiance in our lives. Psalm 34:5 says, “Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy.”
There are endless benefits that could be shared, but here’s just one more; Hebrews 11:6 says that God rewards those who sincerely seek him.
So not only does the Lord let us find him as we wholeheartedly look for him, but we receive truly everything else we might desire such as radiance and reward. May we find ourselves rejoicing at the end of Year 2024 because we set our hearts to enthusiastically seek the Lord 24/7 this year!
Rachel Stageman is a staff member of Lord of Hosts Church.
