Daily Devotional – Wednesday, June 17, 2026
And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 (NKJV)
When the Jews went into Babylonian exile, God sent a message to them through Jeremiah. Jerusalem had fallen, and many of the Jews had been taken far from home. Their situation was the result of years of spiritual compromise. Again and again, Israel tried to hold on to God while giving its affection to other things. Through Jeremiah, God promised that a day would come when His people would return to Him. Yet this would not be a halfhearted response. They would find Him when they sought Him with all their heart.
What Is Holding Me Back from God?
That message speaks just as clearly to us today. Most of us would say that we want God in our lives. At the same time, we know how easily our attention can become scattered. Responsibilities demand our energy. Worries occupy our thoughts. Personal ambitions compete for space in our hearts. Before long, our relationship with God can move from being our greatest pursuit to simply one interest among many. The change is often subtle, which is why it can go unnoticed for so long.
The words “all your heart” sit at the centre of this promise. God was not inviting His people to become more religious. He was calling them back to wholehearted devotion. Throughout Israel’s history, the real issue was not a lack of worship practices. Their deeper problem was divided affection. They sought God’s blessings, but their hearts were often attached to other things. God wanted more than outward activity. He wanted a relationship built on genuine love, trust, and commitment.
Why Do I Feel Far from God?
The same tension can exist in our lives. It is possible to attend church, read the Bible, and pray while still allowing something else to occupy the deepest place in our hearts. God knows that divided devotion never brings lasting satisfaction. The things we place alongside Him can never give us what only He can provide. As we learn to seek Him more fully, we discover that our hearts were made for Him in the first place.
Today, God invites you to examine what truly holds your affection. He is not asking for a portion of your heart while other things occupy the rest of the space. He lovingly invites you to seek Him wholeheartedly. And when you do, you will discover that He is not far away or hiding from you. He delights in being found by those who seek Him sincerely and who put Him ahead of every competing loyalty.
Prayer
Father in heaven, forgive me for allowing other things to compete with You for my love. Help me to prioritise You above all else and to seek You with all my heart. Draw me near to You, and teach me what it means to walk with You fully each day.
