Seek God, the earlier the better

Dear friend

I worry that too many people - and I include myself on occasion - can become casual in their relationship with God. I recognise that we simply cannot be totally at our righteous peak all of the time, but a casual attitude to God can quickly turn into a comfortable habit. One way to recognise this happening is by noticing less than earnest prayer practices; such as being inconsistent, using vain repetition, missing the occasional prayer, not kneeling if you can, or not really concentrating. Such laxity can also be the thin edge of that sneaky wedge; the wedge that gradually drives us away from God and towards Satan's influences.

There was a time when the ancient kingdoms of Judah and Israel were far beyond casual in neglecting their divine duties. They were going through that iniquitous phase of another of their apostacy, humility, prosperity, pride cycles. They were not seeking the face of their God. They were too busy looking for happiness in wickedness. Speaking in the voice of the Lord the Prophet Hosea knew what the outcome would be, as described in the Old Testament, Hosea 5:15.

15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

How true it is that the quality of our seeking the Lord all too often correlates with our level of needing His help. And too often that help is needed to get us out of a problem we got ourselves into in the first place. In this regard I especially like the phrase "they will seek me early". We can read a similar sentiment in Doctrine and Covenants 88:83.

83 He that seeketh me early shall find me, and shall not be forsaken.

This version turns the phrase into the positive. Without needing a pressing blessing, we do well to seek God first thing; not second, or last. Doing those things that nurture the circumstances so that God can be involved in our lives should be early in our daily to dos; at the top end of the list.

I hope we never take our God for granted. Yes, He is always there for us, but are we always there for Him? I pray we will be early engagers in Father's fellowship.

Samuel.