To Dwell and To Seek

One morning, I was meditating on Psalm 91 and Isaiah 29. There were some words that jumped out at me. Psalm 91:1 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High shall abide in the shadow of the Almighty”. And Jeremiah 29:13 says, “Those who seek me with their whole heart shall find me”.  In Christendom, we often hear the phrases “seek the Lord” and “dwell in the Lord”. But what do these terms actually mean? Let’s break it down. I pray that your eyes and ears of [spiritual] understanding be enlightened so you may have revelation and knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17). 

The term to dwell in Psalm 91:1 is Yashab (Strong's 3427), meaning to dwell, to make, to abide, to ease self, to establish oneself. So, it’s safe to assume the term “to dwell” refers to a positioning of oneself in a place. Let’s read more of Psalm 91 to gain greater understanding. Psalm 91:2 says: 

“I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 

Notice how the speaker has positioned themselves to receive the benefits of the Lord. The beginning of the verse says they will confess (with their mouth), “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God”. Then, the verse concludes with the action or heart posture of trusting in the Lord. Notice how the speaker’s confession matched their heart posture (their action). Trusting the Lord is matched by action. Psalm 91:3 continues with the psalmist agreeing with how the Lord will protect: 

“3Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence”. 

Saints, this verse is not to be taken lightly; the speaker is saying they have positioned themselves to receive God’s divine protection by allowing their heart to match their confession! In turn, the Lord has rewarded them with divine protection and benefits such as protection not only from spiritual enemies but also physical enemies like sickness and disease. Why is this important, you may ask? Well Romans 9:9-10 AMP says: 

“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes [adheres to, trusts in, and relies on] Him will not be put to shame. 

Psalm 91:1-3 is showing us in the spirit what happens when our hearts (our actions) match our confession. Simply, the heart and mouth are connected. We can not truly confess with our mouth God’s sovereignty and not believe in our hearts. It’s impossible to have a genuine relationship with the Lord and then live a way that is contrary to our declaration. No! This confession will spark true change in the heart of the believer so their actions match what is coming out of their mouth. Therefore, this“dwelling” is a positioning of one’s heart, and it matches the confession that we make about our Lord and Savior!

Now, let’s look at the word “to seek”. In Jeremiah 29:13, the Lord is speaking to Israel after they were captured by the enemy nation of Babylon. The Lord promised restoration to Israel:

“12Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.       

To seek translates to Baqash (Strong’s 1245), meaning to search out (by worship or prayer), to beseech, to desire, to enquire, to make inquisition, to requisition. Again, the term “to seek” stresses a heart posture the believer must have to receive salvation and the benefits of God. Searching the Lord requires deep intimacy with Him; it requires our whole heart (all of our being). No longer are you satisfied with religious traditions and patterns of old. There is no duplicity or ulterior motive in coming to the Lord. Instead, you seek the Lord, study His word, and pray earnestly to truly experience Him; in turn, your heart (your desires) are changed to match His desires for you. 

This is a relationship with the Lord; this message emphasizes the end of you and the beginning of Him living through you! We are God’s children made to have a deep and intimate relationship with the Father. Both seeking and abiding are necessary foundations that show we are His. They make up who we are and what we are called to do. We are to both seek and dwell in the Lord to receive revelation, direction, and spiritual protection.

To seek the Lord shows our minds are submitted unto His will, that we desire to live out His perfect will for our lives. And to dwell in the Lord indicates we are His children by placing ourselves in a posture to experience the Lord. Resultingly, we are forever changed, and His Holy Spirit affirms our adoption through our renewed minds, desires, and actions (Rom 8:15).

I pray your relationship with the Lord increases in intimacy and revelation. 

Go in peace.