DILIGENTLY SEEKING GOOD TO PROCURE FAVOUR
(week 40/17)
DEOYE OBE, OLUBI JOHNSON AND GBOYEGA ADESIYAN
Proverbs 11:27 KJV: He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.
Diligence is applying (1) Consistent (2) Concentrated (3) Well directed effort.
It takes wisdom to know where to and how to direct effort properly for maximum efficiency and results in order to be diligent.
Where should we diligently direct our efforts? To seek good, which means to seek God (because only God is good (Mk.10:18; Lk.18:19)) and towards divine Love, which is the end of the commandment (1Tim. 1:5).
Because:
God is good (Ps. 73:1; 143:10)
God is love (1Jn. 4:8,16).
So we diligently seek good (God) by diligently walking in divine Love at 3 levels
- At the thought level:
Philippians 4:8 KJV: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
- Through the words we speak:
Ephesians 4:29 KJV: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Diligently seeking good in our thoughts and words prepares us unto every good work like the Master (2Tim. 2:21; Jn. 14:12):
- What we do:
Acts 10:38 KJV: How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
Why must we be diligent in order to procure God’s favour?
Diligence is a commandment not a suggestion!
Psalms 119:4KJV: Thou has commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. (Ezr. 7:23).
It will take diligence to cleanse out the sin nature.
Deuteronomy 11:22,23 KJV ..If ye shall diligently keep all these commandments…(23)…Drive out all these.
2Peter 3:14..Be diligent that ye be found of Him in peace, without spot, and blameless.
It will also take diligence in walking in love for the Zion Church to be set above all nations and to fulfill Deut. 28:1-14.
We procure divine favour as God rewards those that diligently seek Him (in perfect Love) with the Spirit without measure, His glory and manifest Presence.
2Peter 1:3 KJV: According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that [pertain] unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2Thessalonians 2:14 KJV: Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Through diligence by walking in love.
2Peter 1:5,10 KJV: And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, Giving all diligence to make our calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:).
As we do this, we enjoy communion with the Holy Spirit so bringing a manifestation of His presence and glory.
Proverbs 22:11 KJV: He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend. (Jn. 14:21,23; 2Cor. 13:14).
We see this in the life of Moses in:
Exodus 33:12-19 AMP: Moses said to the Lord, See, You say to me, Bring up this people, but You have not let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You said, I know you by name and you have also found favor in My sight. (13) Now therefore, I pray You, if I have found favor in Your sight, show me now Your way, that I may know You [progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, perceiving and recognizing and understanding more strongly and clearly] and that I may find favor in Your sight. And [Lord, do] consider that this nation is Your people. (14) And the Lord said, My Presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. (15) And Moses said to the Lord, If Your Presence does not go with me, do not carry us up from here! (16) For by what shall it be known that I and Your people have found favor in Your sight? Is it not in Your going with us so that we are distinguished, I and Your people, from all the other people upon the face of the earth? (17) And the Lord said to Moses, I will do this thing also that you have asked, for you have found favor, loving-kindness, and mercy in My sight and I know you personally and by name. (18) And Moses said, I beseech You, show me Your glory. (19) And God said, I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, THE LORD, before you; for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy and loving-kindness on whom I will show mercy and loving-kindness.
So we seek God through mercy and grace which is given to the honest and humble to get sufficient life to labor and walk in love!
Mercy:
Jude 21 KJV: looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Prov. 28:13; Prov. 21; 21).
Grace:
James 4:6 KJV: But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
Psalm 30:5 KJV: For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour (grace) [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.
We now use this life by operating the 7 pillars of wisdom (Pro.9:1) to perfect and walk in divine Love which God will then reward with the Spirit without measure.
Hebrews 6:10 KJV: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
