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WITH ALL THE HEART

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Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 20, 1900

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 77, No. 47.

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WITH ALL THE HEART.

By F. W. Huddleson

F. W. HUDDLESON. (Brooklyn, N. Y.)
“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jer. 29:13.
Our Heavenly Father requires whole-hearted service. Nor does this requirement arise from any selfish motive to monopolize the affections of his children; but because, without such a surrender, our enjoyment can not be complete. Could we get a correct view of God's attitude toward his created subjects, we should find him longing to have us so related to him and to one another that our joy would be full. His is the attitude of an adviser, a protector. His superior knowledge fits him for pointing out the way that leads to everlasting happiness.
The way of the transgressor is hard. It is full of thorns; the white blossoms that border the path are the deadly nightshade of disappointment. Sin darkens, withers, and blights the soul. Death is the logical consequence of sin. It is the only wages of sin. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall be also reap.” Gal. 6:7. If he sows to the flesh, he ends his career in darkness. If he sows to the Spirit, light from the throne of righteousness illumines his pathway, and shows him where to place his otherwise faltering feet.
In the text we see the sinner seeking God with a longing desire to find. Every fiber of his being is enlisted in the search. His soul is yearning to know the right way. As the hunted fawn pants for the water brook, so the soul is thirsting to drink of the water of life. It is indeed tired of the treacherous quicksands of sin. The enemies of its peace and joy can be heard baying their near approach. Driven by these awful foes, it is seeking, longing, agonizing for God. He seems veiled in darkness. But no sooner is the whole soul enlisted in the search, than heaven-sent light breaks in; the way clears of every obstacle; and from our Father's throne a voice speaks, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden.” The arms of the Infinite are extended, and the soul finds that rest for which it longed.