Following Hard After God

Chapter 1: Following Hard After God

I trust by now you have decided to join us on this amazing and worthwhile pilgrimage and have gotten your book "The Pursuit of God" [click on the Link to download a copy], your Bible, a copy of a Notebook to journal; your writing paraphernalia and a comfortable quiet place. It is not too late to start and/or invite others to join us. Consider the time and effort you are spending on this as an invest that will yield spiritual and eternal dividends, not only in your own personal life, but in the lives of those around you, your sphere of influence, even those who are part of this group. We are here to contribute, to stimulate and to edify each other.Let's do this for His glory and our good!

For the next couple of weeks, we want to focus on Chapter One: Following Hard After God. It would be fine to just read the chapter of the book, but I want to challenge you to get into the Book of Books. It is wonderful reading Tozer, but is it is beyond wonderful to read the Bible. I know, some are asking right now, then "Why read Tozer?" The way I see it, is that we need to read the Bible and it must be our primary Source or Text, but reading others help and inspire us to read the Bible more carefully and accurately. Particularly, when what is written is written after careful and accurate interpretation [as Tozer does]. We are not arguing for not reading the Bible. We are arguing for reading the Bible and other books.We read others for information and inspiration; we read the Bible for transformation!

Having said all of that, I want to encourage you and prime the pump for our meditation and discussion by suggesting that we read and meditate on the following Scriptures: May the words of my keyboard and the meditation of our hearts be worthy and pleasing to Him! (Ps 19:14)

• Psalm 42
• Psalm 63
• Philippians 3:7-14  

 Tozer makes a convincing case for "following hard after God. Since you are involved in this project, I don't have to convince you of the need of such pursuit, or the resultant benefits. However, I want to give you some ideas and handles to help you to process and journal the Chapter and the Scriptures, more effective. As you reflect and journal on the suggested Scriptures (Please remember, these are just representative samples, feel free to add, or recommend others. I will consider them and include them in the revisions of this post.)

I want to make a case for "Intimacy with the Almighty" and to assist you to get what the author means by, "following hard after God."  I also want to give you a framework and some ideas on the trajectory of this post.

The word translated "follow hard after" is the Hebrew word "DABAK". The ESV, NIV and NASB translate it as "cling to."  The KJV, NKJV and many other translations capture the idea as "following hard after".  Tozer used the KJV. The root idea of the word has the nuances of "cling, cleave, stick with; or adhere to", but figuratively (which is probably the better nuance here) has the idea of "to catch by pursuing close and hard", hence Tozer titles his book, "The Pursuit of God". I trust this helps you with the concept. It not a lame, anemic, half-hearted, lethargic, indifferent or ambivalent following after God. It is one of "vigorous, or hot pursuit." It is a pursuit to catch up with Him for relationship, fellowship and friendship. Is this you desire after God? [I trust you will all learn to do a proper word studies, We all know that there is no direct equivalent for every word from one language to another. When we study the Bible, we must try to capture the mindset of the original authors. I know that we believe that every word (in the original language) is inspired and that when an author uses one word over another, he had a specific purpose in mind and is not just using another synonym or being stylistically creative.]

In Ps 63:8, we must pay close attention to the relationship of the first part of the verse, to the last part. Inherent in the sentence is the idea that "if we follow hard after Him and cling to Him, He will hold on to and uphold us." "Right hand" is the position and place of power. 

Enough of all this rambling! Here is the help, or guide that I promised above: [Hopefully you will personally get much out of this study; not only intellectually, but experientially.  I am sure you will get an abundance of ideas and benefit. As you share, please don't share everything; but share you best ideas and what has benefited you the most.] 

As you read the Psalms and Philippians, consider that . . .

God desires and delights in intimacy with his creatures /children. He designed us for it. He gave us the capacity and ability for it. We were created and endowed with these faculties for intimacy with God and with others. This is one of the primary purposes for being created in His image. Intimacy must be a priority that is executed for the right reason, with the right motives and passion.  

• What is the motive for intimacy?

•   What are the means of intimacy?

•  What are viable and valuable methods (strategies) of pursuing intimacy?

•  What would be some of the similarities between maturity and intimacy, relative to time? Does time automatically translate into maturity or intimacy? What influence do variables such as intentionality and strategy have on them (intimacy & maturity)?

•  Since time and information also do not automatically translate into intimacy, what would it take to transform information into intimacy? 

Starting with Ps 42 & Ps 63 and drawing from the rest of the OT ponder the following questions:

• What is the language (words, phrases and imageries) of intimacy with God in the OT? Cf. Ps 42:1-2

• Who are examples of intimacy with God in the OT? e. g., Moses

• How did they cultivate, demonstrate and sustain intimacy?

Starting with Phil 3:7-14, and drawing from the rest of the NT.

•  What is the language (words, phrases and imageries) of intimacy with God in the NT? E. g., "know him"

• Who are example of intimacy with God in the NT? e. g., Paul

• How did they cultivate, demonstrate and sustain this intimacy? 

Other Questions:

• Did intimacy with God make the saints in the Bible (OT & NT) "perfect" or "above reproach"?
  

• Give examples of their frailty, flaws and foibles.

•    What does it take to develop or cultivate intimacy with God?

•  What are some of the challenges one might have to overcome to develop intimacy with God in our culture? 

•  Which, personally, is the greatest challenge for you?  

•  What role might adversity play in the cultivation of intimacy? Cf.  Ps 42:9-11 &  Ps 63:9-10

•  What are your favorite sources or resources of materials that facilitate intimacy? 

•  What are your favorite quotes and ideas from the first chapter of "The Pursuit of God ".  Why are they favorites?

The prayers of A. W. Tozer at the end of each chapter are very scriptural, appropriate and inspiring. They have been among the most loved parts of the book. The disciples of today, still need to cry out, "Lord, teach us to pray!“ Meditate on the prayer at the end of Chapter One.

 Would you feel comfortable enough to make it your own prayer for few days and see what the results may be? Comment on your thoughts and experience on, or about this exercise.

 
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