1 Chronicles 16:11 (KJV)
“Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.”
This short verse gives powerful direction. Spoken during a time of worship, it reminds God’s people to stay close to Him—not just in moments of need, but every day.
The Setting of 1 Chronicles 16
1 Chronicles 16 is part of a joyful event when King David brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. The Ark was a symbol of God’s presence among the people. David appointed Levites to lead worship and thank God.
This verse comes from a song David wrote for that moment. The song calls the people to remember God’s goodness, praise Him for His works, and seek Him daily.
What Does “Seek the Lord” Mean?
To seek the Lord means to desire Him and pursue a close relationship with Him. It means turning to Him in prayer, in reading the Bible, and in everyday choices.
Supporting Scriptures:
| Verse | Text |
|---|---|
| Psalm 27:8 | “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.” |
| Isaiah 55:6 | “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.” |
| Deuteronomy 4:29 | “But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.” |
Why We Need His Strength
David doesn’t tell us to seek our own strength. He tells us to seek God’s strength. We need it every day—to resist temptation, to love others, to keep going when life gets hard.
Scriptures on God’s Strength:
| Verse | Text |
|---|---|
| Psalm 46:1 | “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” |
| Isaiah 40:31 | “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles...” |
| 2 Corinthians 12:9 | “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness...” |
| Philippians 4:13 | “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” |
“Seek His Face Continually”
In Bible language, “face” often means presence. To seek His face means to desire to be close to Him. And continually means it’s not just once a week at church.
We grow that relationship by spending time with Him through prayer, quiet moments, Scripture, and worship.
More Scriptures on Seeking God Daily:
| Verse | Text |
|---|---|
| Psalm 63:1 | “O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee...” |
| Lamentations 3:25 | “The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.” |
| Proverbs 8:17 | “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.” |
| James 4:8 | “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you...” |
Real-Life Ways to Seek the Lord
Here are some simple ways people today can follow this verse:
| Way to Seek the Lord | Example |
|---|---|
| Morning devotion | Reading a Psalm before school or work |
| Prayer throughout the day | Whispering a prayer while walking or driving |
| Praising God aloud | Thanking Him for answered prayers or blessings |
| Silent worship | Sitting still and focusing on His presence |
Why This Verse Still Matters
In a noisy world, 1 Chronicles 16:11 gives us direction. We’re told to:
- Seek the Lord — because He is the source of truth.
- Seek His strength — because we can’t do life alone.
- Seek His face continually — because a life close to God is a life full of peace.
Psalm 34:10 says:
“The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing.”
God honors those who seek Him.
