The Measure
✨The Measure You Use
“Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13).
We are called to pursue the Lord—not casually, not occasionally, but with the hunger of one who knows He is life itself. Just as breath is to our lungs and water is to our thirst, so is His presence to our souls.
Let us seek Him with diligence, with hearts wide open, as though He is our vital necessity—for indeed He is. Scripture reminds us: “Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13).
Come, let us set aside distractions, lay down every weight, and turn our gaze fully upon Him. Together, let’s seek after the Lord with earnestness, with expectation, with love that will not grow weary—until we are satisfied in Him who alone can satisfy.
🔥 A Heart That Seeks
God isn’t hiding behind a veil of mystery for His own amusement. He desires relationship with His people, but He responds to hunger—not apathy. In Jeremiah 29:13, He gives a clear promise: we will find Him when we seek Him with all our heart.
In the context of Jeremiah 29, this promise was given to a people in exile. Even while they were far from the land of promise, God's invitation was near. The key wasn't geography—it was desire. The same principle holds for us today: our distance from God is never about location or circumstance, but desire.
Wholehearted seeking is more than a moment of interest; it’s a life reoriented around the pursuit of knowing God. He is not simply an addition to our plans—He becomes the plan.
Amos 5:4 (AMP)
“For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel, “Seek Me [search diligently for Me and regard Me as more essential than food] so that you may live. [2 Chr 15:2; Jer 29:13]”
Amos 5:6 (AMP)
““Seek the Lord [search diligently for Him and long for Him as your most essential need] so that you may live, Or He will rush down like a [devouring] fire…”
Amos 5:14 (AMP)
“Seek (long for, require) good and not evil, that you may live; And so may the Lord God of hosts be with you, Just as you have said!”
Three times, in one chapter, He says seek Him and search for Him diligently so that you may live. How important do you think it is to truly seek God? We can’t live without Him. There’s nothing we can do on the face of this earth without Him. Jesus says in Mark 9:23 “You say to me IF you can? All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts in Me.” Our job is to just trust Him.
No matter what we face, no matter what looks like or may be crumbling, FIX YOUR EYES ON HIM. Seek Him DILIGENTLY as your most essential NEED, more than anything else. He promises to come rushing in like a devouring fire into your situation. TRUST HIM.
“In my distress [when I seemed surrounded] I called upon the Lord And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry for help came before Him, into His very ears.” — Psalms 18:6 AMP
Marinate in that.
Psalm 105: 3-4 (AMP):
Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those who seek and require the Lord [as their most essential need] rejoice. Seek and deeply long for the Lord and His strength [His power, His might]; Seek and deeply long for His face and His presence continually.
🧭 The Law of Measure
In Mark 4:24-25, Jesus says:
“Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides. For [a]whoever has [a teachable heart], to him more [understanding] will be given; and whoever does not have [a yearning for truth], even what he has will be taken away from him.”
This is a spiritual law. The measure of spiritual hunger, faith, and attentiveness we bring to the Word and to God's presence determines the measure of what we receive.
Think of it this way: if you approach a fountain with a shot glass, you’ll walk away with a shot glass full of water. But if you bring a bucket, or a barrel, you receive more. The fountain isn’t limited—we are. God desires to give in abundance, but He respects the posture of our heart.
This principle is echoed in many places:
Proverbs 8:17 (AMP):
“I love those who love me;
And those who seek me early and diligently will find me.”
Psalm 27:8 (AMP):
When You said, “Seek My face [in prayer, require My presence as your greatest need],” my heart said to You,
“Your face, O Lord, I will seek [on the authority of Your word].”
Hosea 10:12 (AMP):
Sow with a view to righteousness [that righteousness, like seed, may germinate];
Reap in accordance with mercy and lovingkindness.
Break up your uncultivated ground,
For it is time to seek and search diligently for the Lord [and to long for His blessing] Until He comes to rain righteousness and His gift of salvation on you.
Matthew 7:7-8 (AMP):
“Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened.”
God invites us into an active pursuit. The more we lean in, the more He pours out.
📖 Key Scriptures
🔹 Hebrews 11:6 (AMP)
But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.
Faith is more than belief—it is active trust. And those who seek God earnestly, not casually, are promised a reward. What’s the reward? Often, it’s more of Him—His voice, His peace, His presence, and His guidance.
🔹 Psalm 42:1-2 (AMP)
“As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks,
So my [a]soul pants [longingly] for You, O God.
My soul (my life, my inner self) thirsts for God, for the living God.
When will I come and see the face of God?”
This is desperation. It’s a deep, soul-level longing that only God can quench. True spiritual growth begins when we recognize our need for Him is not optional—it’s essential. This kind of thirst invites deep encounters with the Living God.
🔹 Psalm 63:1 (AMP)
O God, You are my God; with deepest longing I will seek You;
My [a]soul [my life, my very self] thirsts for You, my flesh longs and sighs for You, In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
🔹 James 4:8 (AMP)
“Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you.”
This is one of the most beautiful, comforting promises in Scripture. God does not turn away those who turn to Him. Every time we take a step in His direction, He takes a step in ours—though His are always greater.
🔹 1 Chronicles 16:11 (AMP)
Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence].
🔹 Psalm 14:2 (AMP)
The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the children of men
To see if there are any who understand (act wisely),
Who [truly] seek after God, [longing for His wisdom and guidance].
🔹 Isaiah 55:6-7 (AMP)
Seek the Lord while He may be found;
Call on Him [for salvation] while He is near.
🔹Deuteronomy 4:29-31 (AMP)
But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. 30 When you are in distress and tribulation and all these things come on you, in the latter days you will return to the Lord your God and listen to His voice. 31 For the Lord your God is a merciful and compassionate God; He will not fail you, nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.
🔹1 Chronicles 28:9 (AMP)
“As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father [have personal knowledge of Him, be acquainted with, and understand Him; appreciate, heed, and cherish Him] and serve Him with a blameless heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and minds, and understands every intent and inclination of the thoughts. If you seek Him [inquiring for and of Him and requiring Him as your first and vital necessity] He will let you find Him; but [a]if you abandon (turn away from) Him, He will reject you forever."
🔹2 Chronicles 7:14 (AMP)
and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.
🔹Psalm 37:4 (AMP)
Delight yourself in the Lord,
And He will give you the desires and petitions of your heart.
You don’t have to seek after the blessing! Seek after God and the blessing will seek after YOU!
So I challenge you: push past the distractions, break through the excuses, and run hard after Him. Don’t rest until you’ve pressed into His presence. Make Him your first desire, your highest pursuit, your vital necessity.
I urge you: run after Him as though your life depends on it—because it does. Make Him your first desire in the morning, your meditation through the day, and your longing at night. Do not stop short of His presence, do not rest until you have touched His heart. He alone is worth it.
Now is the time. Let us rise, let us seek, let us find. And in finding Him, we will find life itself.
🌱 Application: How to Increase Your Desire for God
Spiritual hunger doesn’t always come naturally—it can be cultivated. Here are some practical ways to increase your desire for God:
Ask God to stir your heart.
Prayer: “God, awaken my hunger. Set my heart on fire for You.”
Spend quality time in the Word.
Don’t just read for information—read to encounter Him. Meditate. Reflect.
Fast from distractions.
Set aside things that dull your spiritual sensitivity—whether it's excessive entertainment, social media, or unhealthy relationships.
Surround yourself with seekers.
Hunger is contagious. Find a community of believers who are passionately pursuing God.
Make space for silence and worship.
Busyness drowns out desire. Stillness reawakens it.
🌱 Application: Stirring Up Desire
Ask yourself today:
How badly do I want to know God more?
Am I giving Him the first and best of my attention?
What does my prayer life say about my level of spiritual hunger?
🙏 Prayer
Father, I long to know You more, but I admit my desire has often been distracted or shallow. Teach me how to seek You with my whole heart. Help me to prioritize You above all else. Stir up a deeper hunger in my soul. I don't want just a taste—I want the fullness of Your presence. Thank You that when I draw near to You, You promise to draw near to me. Meet me in the measure of my desire—and help me to desire You more. In Jesus' name, Amen.
💭 Final Reflection
“With the measure you use, it will be measured to you…” — Mark 4:24
God is limitless. The only cap on what you receive is the one you set through your pursuit. If you give Him a moment, He’ll meet you in a moment. But if you give Him your life, He will transform everything.
The more you seek, the more you find.
The more you knock, the more He opens.
The more you desire, the more He fills.
Come to Him with open hands—and an open heart.