42. God is always pursuing us for the purposes of relationship.
For thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.” {Ezekiel 34:11}
As a Parent who loves all His children with an everlasting love, God’s desire is that our relationship with Him might be repaired and restored. To that end, He constantly pursues us. He tirelessly works to seek us out, confront us, offer us love and acceptance and forgiveness, and promise that He can bring us healing and rest.
This is the only thing God desires. He doesn’t hold grudges. He doesn’t wish to get even. He doesn’t take pleasure in the death of those who reject Him. He doesn’t wish that any should perish. If it were up to Him, He would choose for everyone to live forever. But since love is even more important to Him than getting His own way, He leaves the ultimate choice about our relationship to us.
In the meantime, He leaves no stone unturned and no path untaken in His relentless pursuit of us. As David wrote in the Psalms, God’s beauty and love chase after us every single day of our lives.
If you want to dig deeper—
Genesis 3:8-9
Psalm 23:6
Psalm 139:7-10
Matthew 13:15-46
Acts 26:13-15