Relentless Pursuit: Experiencing God's Unfailing Love
Summary
Experiencing God's love is a profound journey that often feels like being pursued by a relentless force of goodness and grace. This pursuit can manifest in both mundane and extraordinary moments, such as witnessing a breathtaking sunset or experiencing life-changing events like marriage or the birth of a child. These moments remind us of God's unwavering presence and His desire to bless us with His goodness. The song "Goodness of God," written by Jen Johnson, encapsulates this theme of divine pursuit. Inspired by her own experiences, including the adoption of her son, the song speaks to the heart of God's faithfulness and love that chases after us.
Psalm 23, particularly verse 6, beautifully illustrates this concept, emphasizing that God's goodness and faithfulness will pursue us all our days. The original Hebrew word for "pursue" conveys a sense of urgency and relentless pursuit, akin to a military chase. This is not a passive following but an active, determined pursuit of our hearts by God's love. His goodness, rooted in His very character, and His faithfulness, a testament to His loyal love, are constantly seeking to bless us.
God's pursuit is evident in various ways, such as divine appointments, where He orchestrates circumstances to reveal His grace. It can also be seen in the conviction of the Holy Spirit, encouraging us to align our lives with His will. Through community and accountability, God uses others to guide and support us. Even in our pain and struggles, God is present, using these experiences to shape us into faithful followers of Christ. Worship, too, is a powerful avenue through which we encounter God's love, reminding us that our devotion is for His glory, not our own satisfaction.
Ultimately, God's pursuit is about blessing us, not because we are worthy, but because of His grace. Like the "Hound of Heaven," God chases us not to condemn but to envelop us in His love. We are called to stop running and allow His love to capture us, trusting in His goodness and faithfulness.
Key Takeaways:
- God's love is a relentless pursuit, actively chasing us with His goodness and faithfulness. This pursuit is not passive but urgent, akin to a military chase, emphasizing the depth of His desire to bless us. [10:41]
- Divine appointments are orchestrated by God to reveal His grace in our lives. These moments, often mistaken for luck, are intentional acts of providence, demonstrating God's control and care. [15:52]
- The Holy Spirit's conviction is a manifestation of God's love, guiding us to align our lives with His will. This process, though sometimes challenging, is a testament to His desire for our growth and transformation. [18:46]
- Community and accountability are vital in experiencing God's pursuit. Through relationships, God provides support, guidance, and encouragement, helping us stay aligned with His purpose. [19:41]
- Worship is a powerful avenue for encountering God's love. It is not for our entertainment but a means to glorify God, reminding us of His presence and the blessings that flow from genuine devotion. [22:12]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:50] - Personal Experiences of God's Pursuit
[03:43] - The Story Behind "Goodness of God"
[05:26] - The Impact of the Song
[07:02] - Exploring Psalm 23
[08:32] - Understanding "Pursue" in Scripture
[10:41] - God's Relentless Pursuit
[12:18] - The Nature of God's Goodness
[13:57] - Pathways of God's Love
[15:52] - Divine Appointments
[16:57] - Personal Testimony of God's Timing
[18:46] - The Role of Conviction
[19:41] - Community and Accountability
[21:04] - Pain and Growth
[22:12] - The Purpose of Worship
[24:39] - A Watchable Faith
[26:31] - Divine Appointments and Invitations
[27:50] - Embracing God's Blessings
[29:08] - The Hound of Heaven
[30:10] - God's Pursuit for Blessing
[31:43] - Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Psalm 23:6 (NET): "Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days."
- Psalm 34:8: "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
- Psalm 7:1: "O Lord my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me."
#### Observation Questions
1. How does Psalm 23:6 describe God's pursuit of us? What imagery is used to convey this pursuit? [08:32]
2. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate moments when God's love was felt as a pursuit? [01:50]
3. How does the song "Goodness of God" relate to the theme of God's relentless pursuit? [05:26]
4. What role do divine appointments play in experiencing God's pursuit, according to the sermon? [15:52]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the Hebrew word for "pursue" in Psalm 23:6 suggest about the nature of God's pursuit? How does this deepen our understanding of His love? [08:32]
2. How might the concept of divine appointments challenge the idea of luck or coincidence in a believer's life? [15:52]
3. In what ways does the Holy Spirit's conviction serve as a manifestation of God's love and pursuit? [18:46]
4. How does the sermon suggest that community and accountability contribute to experiencing God's pursuit? [19:41]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God's love pursuing you. How did that experience impact your faith journey? [01:50]
2. How can you become more aware of divine appointments in your life? What steps can you take to recognize and respond to them? [15:52]
3. In what areas of your life do you feel the Holy Spirit's conviction? How can you align your actions with God's will in these areas? [18:46]
4. Consider your current community and accountability relationships. How can you strengthen these connections to better experience God's pursuit? [19:41]
5. How can you shift your perspective on worship from personal satisfaction to glorifying God? What changes might this require in your approach to worship? [22:12]
6. Identify a painful experience in your life. How might God be using this to shape your character and faith? [21:04]
7. What specific actions can you take this week to stop running from God's love and allow it to capture you? [30:10]
Devotional
Day 1: God's Love as a Relentless Pursuit
God's love is not a passive presence but an active, relentless pursuit of our hearts. This pursuit is akin to a military chase, emphasizing the depth of His desire to bless us with His goodness and faithfulness. In both mundane and extraordinary moments, such as witnessing a breathtaking sunset or experiencing life-changing events, we are reminded of God's unwavering presence. His love is a force that chases after us, not to condemn, but to envelop us in His grace. We are called to stop running and allow His love to capture us, trusting in His goodness and faithfulness. [10:41]
Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV): "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
Reflection: Think of a moment in your life where you felt pursued by God's love. How can you embrace that pursuit today and allow His love to guide your actions?
Day 2: Divine Appointments as Acts of Providence
Divine appointments are orchestrated by God to reveal His grace in our lives. These moments, often mistaken for luck, are intentional acts of providence, demonstrating God's control and care. They serve as reminders that God is actively involved in our lives, guiding us towards His purpose. By recognizing these divine appointments, we can see the hand of God at work, leading us to experiences and encounters that shape our faith and understanding of His love. [15:52]
Proverbs 16:9 (ESV): "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent event that seemed coincidental. How might this have been a divine appointment, and what is God revealing to you through it?
Day 3: The Holy Spirit's Conviction as a Guide
The Holy Spirit's conviction is a manifestation of God's love, guiding us to align our lives with His will. This process, though sometimes challenging, is a testament to His desire for our growth and transformation. Through conviction, we are encouraged to examine our lives, make necessary changes, and grow closer to God. It is a loving nudge that helps us stay on the path of righteousness and experience the fullness of God's blessings. [18:46]
John 16:13 (ESV): "When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come."
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel the Holy Spirit's conviction. What steps can you take today to align this area with God's will?
Day 4: Community and Accountability in God's Pursuit
Community and accountability are vital in experiencing God's pursuit. Through relationships, God provides support, guidance, and encouragement, helping us stay aligned with His purpose. Being part of a community allows us to share our burdens, celebrate our victories, and grow together in faith. Accountability partners can help us stay on track, offering wisdom and encouragement as we navigate our spiritual journey. [19:41]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support and accountability? How can you be a source of encouragement for someone else today?
Day 5: Worship as an Encounter with God's Love
Worship is a powerful avenue for encountering God's love. It is not for our entertainment but a means to glorify God, reminding us of His presence and the blessings that flow from genuine devotion. Through worship, we express our love and gratitude to God, experiencing His love in return. It is a time to focus on His goodness, faithfulness, and the relentless pursuit of our hearts. Worship transforms our perspective, drawing us closer to God and aligning our hearts with His. [22:12]
Psalm 95:1-2 (ESV): "Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!"
Reflection: How can you make your worship more intentional and focused on glorifying God today? What changes can you make to ensure your worship is a true encounter with His love?
Quotes
"Have you ever sensed that God's love was pursuing you, was chasing after you? I've had moments like that when I sense God's love chasing after me. Perhaps it could be a more mundane type experience or even a more profound experience of the love of God." [00:00:04] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"I'm sure each one of you could come up here and share stories of how God's love pursued you, how God's love chased after you, and the ways that you've encountered the goodness and the faithfulness of God." [00:02:45] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"It's an urgent word, pursuing. It's not just passive, like follow the leader, like somebody's following, like God's faithfulness and goodness is just kind of passively just kind of hanging out, tagging along." [00:11:18] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"But no, we encourage each other, and we're there for each other. We also hold each other accountable because sometimes we might get a little silly and get off course, and we need somebody to bring us back." [00:20:01] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Another way God reaches out to you, God chases you, God pursues you with His love is through worship. Worship, what we're doing here this morning. Now, I need to remind you, though, worship isn't for you." [00:22:12] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Because you know what that says to me? I mean, at first, you kind of hear that and you go, oh, gosh, I don't know, man. That's just terrible. I don't know if I can do that. I don't know if I've got a life that's watchable." [00:25:21] (10 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Because of what Jesus has done, He's pursuing you with His love. He's pursuing you with His grace. He's pursuing you. He's chasing after you. He's relentless. He's not going to give up on you. This is a promise." [00:28:44] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"He recognizes God's not chasing him to destroy him. God's pursuing. He's chasing. He's running after you so that he might bless you. So that he can pour his love abroad in your heart." [00:30:52] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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