Proverbs 15:9

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about our pursuits:

Proverbs 15:9 (ESV)

The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,

but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

We can tell a lot about someone when we consider what there biggest pursuits are.   Riches, power, prestige, like-ability, popularity, property, ease, stardom and championships are all typical pursuits.  These are not, in and of themselves, sinful, nor dishonoring to God.   However, if they become our sole pursuit, or the sole focus of our lives, they detract from what pleases God.  As Solomon states in the above proverb, God Loves those who pursue righteousness.   Matthew 5:6 records Christ's words about the pursuit of righteousness, we are to be hungry for it:

Matthew 5:6 (ESV)

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

The psalmist stated he panted for God as a deer pants for water:

Psalms 42:1-2 (ESV)

As a deer pants for flowing streams,

so pants my soul for you, O God.

My soul thirsts for God,

for the living God.

When shall I come and appear before God?

In Psalm 23 we find that if we follow the Lord as our shepherd, mercy and goodness will follow (pursue) us.   

Psalms 23:6 (ESV)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD

forever.

The wicked and their pursuits are an abomination to the Lord.   But God loves when we pursue hard after Him.   We can pursue other things but for the purpose of using those pursuits to glorify God and to show how we pursue God within those desires.   But righteousness is to be our sole pursuit.   God loves that.