from Gary Hamrick
... Senior Pastor of Cornerstone Chapel

... God is not a means to our purposes but the One to whom our lives must be surrendered

John 4:24 NKJV (devotion translation)

There is a difference between seeking God and trying to use Him. Scripture consistently reveals that God is not an object to be controlled, nor a means to accomplish human desires (Acts 8:18-23). He is holy, sovereign, and worthy of reverence (Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 99:9).

In the account reflected here, the people treated what represented God’s presence as though it were a tool for victory. Instead of examining their hearts or returning to obedience, they attempted to bring God into their plans on their terms. The result was not blessing, but judgment. This reveals an unchanging truth: God will not align Himself with sin, even when His name is invoked.

God’s holiness means He cannot be manipulated. His presence is not something we carry for advantage, but something we approach with humility (James 4:8-10). When reverence is replaced with familiarity, and obedience is replaced with assumption, we begin to drift from true worship.

Yet, alongside His holiness, Scripture also shows His mercy. Even when people misunderstand Him or approach Him wrongly, He continues to reveal Himself, correct, and call them back (Hebrews 12:5-6). This is the grace of God - to confront error while still inviting repentance.

Through Christ, we are given access to God - not casually, but confidently and rightly (Hebrews 10:19-22, Ephesians 2:18). We no longer come through symbols or rituals, but through the finished work of Jesus. Even so, the call remains the same: to approach God with sincerity, truth, and a heart that honors Him.

The question for us is simple: Are we seeking God Himself, or what we hope to gain from Him? True worship begins when we desire Him above all else.

Lord, teach me to approach You with reverence and truth, seeking You for who You are and not for what I want; keep my heart aligned with Your holiness, Amen.

1. Right Motives in Seeking God → James 4:3 God rebukes asking with wrong motives—seeking benefits over Him.

2. Obedience Over Ritual → 1 Samuel 15:22 God values obedience more than outward religious actions.

3. Reverence in Worship → Hebrews 12:28-29 Worship must be offered with reverence and awe.

4. God Looks at the Heart → 1 Samuel 16:7 True worship is inward, not merely external.

5. Seeking God Himself as the Reward → Psalm 73:25-26 God Himself—not His gifts—is the ultimate desire of the believer.

6. Confidence with Reverence Through Christ → Hebrews 4:14-16 We draw near boldly, yet still rightly, through Jesus.