“For he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Heb. 11:6b NKJ).
This phrase diligently seek expresses great intensity. It implies more than mere searching or ordinary seeking. The primary Greek word translated seek is zeteo (zay-teh’-o). It is used in the New Testament 119 times to express inquiry or endeavor, and is the normal word for “searching.”
In this verse the Greek word translated diligently seek is ekzeteo (ek-zay-teh’-o). It is an intensified form of zeteo meaning “to seek with desire and determination.” The Amplified Bible version of this verse reads: For whoever would come near to God must (necessarily) believe that God exists and that He is the Rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him (out).
Seeking out the Lord is a lifetime pursuit for the believer. As we continually seek wisdom, we find the wisdom needed for each situation. As we continuously seek knowledge, we find that knowledge increases.
As we seek answers and solutions, we find the deliverance, guidance, direction, understanding, strength, and power necessary for each step of our daily Christian journey. We become living witnesses to the validity of Jesus’ statement that it is in seeking that we find.
There are prayers, and there are intense prayers; intercessions, and strong intercessions; tears, and powerful tears. There is normal, routine seeking, and there are times of determined, forceful, diligent seeking. This is the kind that is greatly rewarded. In Jeremiah 29:13 God says:…you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
Dick Mills was ordained at The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel in 1949. He and his wife Betty traveled as evangelists all over the United States, Canada, Mexico, Latin America, Europe, and Australia. Dick and Betty are now home in heaven.
In 1966 Dick and Betty became a part of the then-emerging Charismatic Renewal. Passing through all denominational barriers, Dick has had the opportunity to speak in thousands of churches of varied backgrounds all over the world.
He ministered within several Christian organizations, including the Full Gospel Business Men, Women's Aglow, Inter-church Renewal Catholic Pentecostals, mainline Charismatic groups, CBN and TBN television networks, and many other independent Christian TV stations.
Dick appeared on numerous radio talk shows, written several magazine articles, and spoke at many Bible conferences and universities. He served as an adjunct professor at six Schools of the Bible and Seminaries.
In addition, Dick authored and co-authored several books and tapes. Dick's ministry was characterized by the unique gifts God has blessed him with. His services informed, enlightened, and motivated people to a higher level of commitment to God.