Throughout Scripture, we encounter individuals who pursued God with remarkable intensity and passion—people who were not content with casual acquaintance with the Almighty but earnestly sought deep, intimate relationship with Him. David cried out, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" (Psalm 42:1-2). This image of a deer desperately panting for water in arid wilderness captures the intensity of David's longing for God. His was not polite religious interest but passionate, all-consuming pursuit. Similarly, the apostle Paul declared his life's ambition: "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" (Philippians 3:10). Paul wanted to know Christ intimately, experientially, deeply—not just intellectually but relationally.

This concept of "following hard after God" comes from Psalm 63:8, where David writes, "My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me." The Hebrew phrase translated "followeth hard" carries connotations of clinging tightly, pursuing closely, pressing after something with determination and intensity. It describes someone who will not be deterred from their objective, who perseveres through obstacles, who makes their pursuit their highest priority. Following hard after God means seeking Him with the kind of intensity, focus, and determination that characterizes someone pursuing their most cherished goal. It is the opposite of casual Christianity, half-hearted devotion, or compartmentalized faith that relegates God to one area of life while other pursuits dominate our attention, affection, and energy.

In our contemporary context, following hard after God is countercultural. We live in an age of distraction where countless voices compete for our attention, where entertainment is available constantly, where busyness is worn as a badge of honor, and where shallow engagement has become normalized. Many people settle for knowing about God rather than knowing God personally, for attending religious activities rather than cultivating intimate relationship with Him, for intellectual assent to doctrines rather than experiential communion with the living God. Yet Scripture consistently calls believers to something far deeper, richer, and more transformative—intimate fellowship with God that comes only through intentional, sustained, passionate pursuit of Him.

Throughout this comprehensive study, we will explore what the Bible teaches about pursuing God with intensity and passion, examine the characteristics of those who follow hard after God, discover the means by which we cultivate intimacy with Him, understand the obstacles that hinder our pursuit of God and how to overcome them, and learn about the transformative results of knowing God deeply. Whether you are just beginning your journey of faith or have walked with God for many years, this biblical exploration will challenge you to examine the intensity of your pursuit of God and inspire you to press more deeply into intimate relationship with Him. The Christian life is not primarily about religious activity, moral improvement, or theological knowledge—it is fundamentally about knowing God personally, intimately, experientially, and being transformed by that relationship.

The Biblical Foundation for Pursuing God

Before examining how to pursue God, we must establish why pursuing God matters and what Scripture teaches about the nature of this pursuit. The Bible consistently presents knowing God as the highest privilege, greatest treasure, and ultimate purpose of human existence. Understanding this foundation motivates us to pursue God with the intensity He deserves and that our souls desperately need. Let us examine what God's Word reveals about the priority and nature of pursuing Him.

First, knowing God is presented throughout Scripture as life's ultimate purpose and highest good. Jeremiah 9:23-24 declares, "Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD." God explicitly states that wisdom, strength, and wealth—the things people typically boast about—are not worthy of glorying. The only legitimate source of boasting is knowing God. This knowledge is not merely intellectual awareness that God exists but experiential, relational knowledge—understanding His character, experiencing His presence, and relating to Him personally.

Jesus affirmed this priority in John 17:3 when He prayed, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Notice that Jesus defines eternal life not primarily as endless existence or escape from hell but as knowing God and Jesus Christ. Eternal life is fundamentally about relationship with God through Christ. This is why Christianity is not merely a religion of rules, rituals, and doctrines but a relationship with the living God mediated through Jesus Christ. The gospel invitation is not just to believe facts about God but to enter into personal, saving relationship with Him through faith in Christ. First John 5:11-12 states, "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." Eternal life comes through knowing Christ relationally, not just knowing about Him intellectually.

Third, God promises that those who seek Him will find Him. This promise appears repeatedly throughout Scripture, encouraging earnest seekers that their pursuit will not be in vain. Jeremiah 29:13 declares, "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Notice the condition: wholehearted seeking. God promises to be found by those who search for Him with complete sincerity and total commitment, not by those who seek Him casually or halfheartedly. Matthew 7:7-8 records Jesus' promise: "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." The present tense verbs suggest ongoing action—keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Those who persistently pursue God will find Him.

Fourth, Scripture presents pursuing God as a command, not merely an option for particularly devout believers. First Chronicles 16:11 instructs, "Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually." This is an imperative—a command to be obeyed. Psalm 105:4 similarly commands, "Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore." Amos 5:4 records God's word to Israel: "For thus saith the LORD unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live." Seeking God is not presented as a spiritual extra for those who are particularly religious but as a fundamental requirement for all God's people. Colossians 3:1-2 commands believers, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Those who have been raised to spiritual life through union with Christ are commanded to seek heavenly realities—especially Christ Himself—rather than earthly things.

Fifth, the Bible warns against seeking God insincerely or halfheartedly. Isaiah 29:13 records God's indictment of Israel: "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men." God is not satisfied with external religious observance when the heart is distant. Jesus quoted this verse in Matthew 15:8-9, applying it to the Pharisees: "This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." Religious activity without genuine heart devotion is vain worship. God desires truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6) and is more pleased by wholehearted devotion from the heart than by external religious observances performed out of duty rather than love.

Sixth, Scripture presents knowing God as progressive—there is always more of God to know, deeper intimacy to experience, and greater revelation of His glory to receive. Paul, despite years of faithful service and deep spiritual maturity, still expressed his longing to know Christ more fully: "That I may know him" (Philippians 3:10). Paul had already known Christ for decades, yet he still yearned for deeper knowledge. In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul wrote, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Paul pursued knowing Christ as his singular passion, acknowledging that he had not yet fully attained but continuing to press forward. This should encourage us: no matter how long we have known God or how deeply we have experienced Him, there is always more to discover, deeper intimacy to cultivate, and fuller revelation of His glory to receive.

Finally, pursuing God requires effort, diligence, and intentionality. While salvation is by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9), the subsequent pursuit of intimacy with God requires diligent effort. Hebrews 11:6 states, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." Notice that God rewards those who diligently seek Him, not those who seek Him casually. Second Chronicles 15:2 declares, "The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you." There is a reciprocal nature to relationship with God: when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us (James 4:8); when we seek Him, He reveals Himself to us; when we pursue Him, we experience His presence more fully. This pursuit requires discipline, sacrifice, and persistence—qualities we will explore more fully in subsequent sections.

Characteristics of Those Who Follow Hard After God

Scripture provides numerous examples of individuals who pursued God with intensity and passion, and from their lives we can identify common characteristics that mark those who follow hard after God. These qualities are not prerequisites for beginning the pursuit of God but rather traits that develop as we persistently seek Him. Examining these characteristics helps us evaluate our own pursuit of God and identify areas where we need growth. Let us explore what distinguishes those who follow hard after God from those who maintain only casual acquaintance with Him.

First, those who follow hard after God prioritize knowing Him above everything else. This singular focus characterizes genuine devotion to God. David expressed this priority in Psalm 27:4: "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple." Amid life's many demands and opportunities, David identified one supreme desire: to remain in God's presence, beholding His beauty and seeking His face. This wasn't merely religious sentiment but David's practical priority—he organized his life around pursuing God. Similarly, Paul declared in Philippians 3:7-8, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." Paul considered everything else—all his accomplishments, credentials, and advantages—as worthless compared to knowing Christ. This is not anti-intellectual or anti-productive but simply reflects proper priorities: knowing God transcends every other pursuit in value and importance.

Second, those who follow hard after God cultivate consistent communion with Him through prayer. Prayer is the primary means by which we communicate with God, express our dependence on Him, and maintain conscious awareness of His presence. Those who pursue God deeply are people of prayer—not merely during crises but as a regular rhythm of life. First Thessalonians 5:17 commands believers to "pray without ceasing," not meaning continuous verbalization but maintaining an attitude of prayerful dependence and communication with God throughout daily life. Daniel provides a powerful example of consistent prayer. Despite facing death for continuing to pray, "he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime" (Daniel 6:10). Prayer was Daniel's established habit—something he did "as he did aforetime"—and he refused to abandon it even when threatened with execution. His prayer life was not driven by crisis but by commitment to maintaining communion with God.

Fourth, those who follow hard after God obey Him consistently. Knowledge of God that does not produce obedience to God is spurious. First John 2:3-4 states, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." Obedience is the evidence of genuine knowledge of God. Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15). Love for God manifests in obedience to God. Those who pursue God deeply are characterized by increasing conformity to His will and decreasing resistance to His commands. This doesn't mean sinless perfection—believers still struggle with sin—but it means a trajectory of growth in obedience and a heart attitude that desires to please God above all.

Fifth, those who follow hard after God hunger and thirst for righteousness. Matthew 5:6 pronounces blessing on those who "hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." Hunger and thirst are intense physical drives that demand satisfaction. Using these metaphors for righteousness indicates that passionate pursuers of God have an intense spiritual appetite for holiness, godliness, and conformity to Christ. They are not content with their current spiritual state but yearn for greater sanctification. They grieve over sin, long for purity, and actively pursue holiness. Hebrews 12:14 commands, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Those who pursue God pursue holiness, recognizing that intimacy with a holy God requires increasing conformity to His character.

Sixth, those who follow hard after God persevere through difficulties and opposition. The pursuit of God is not easy or comfortable. It requires sustained effort over time, often in the face of opposition, discouragement, or spiritual dryness. Hebrews 12:1 exhorts believers to "run with patience the race that is set before us." Patience (endurance, perseverance) is required for the long race of following Christ. Revelation 2:2-3 commends the church at Ephesus: "I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted." This church demonstrated persevering endurance—they had worked hard, endured patiently, and not grown weary despite challenges. Those who follow hard after God don't give up when the path becomes difficult; they press on, convinced that knowing God is worth any cost or effort required.

Seventh, those who follow hard after God walk in continual repentance. Pursuing God involves increasingly accurate self-awareness—seeing ourselves as God sees us, recognizing our sinfulness, and turning from sin to God. Psalm 139:23-24 expresses this attitude: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." David invited God to examine him thoroughly and expose any sin so he could repent. This is not morbid introspection but healthy self-examination in God's presence. First John 1:9 promises, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confession and repentance maintain our fellowship with God, removing barriers that hinder intimacy with Him.

Finally, those who follow hard after God worship Him wholeheartedly. Worship is not merely singing songs during church services but a lifestyle of ascribing worth to God, treasuring Him above all else, and living for His glory. Romans 12:1 calls believers to present their bodies as "a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." The entirety of our lives should be an act of worship—offering ourselves completely to God for His purposes. Psalm 103:1 expresses wholehearted worship: "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name." David engaged his entire being—"all that is within me"—in blessing God. Those who pursue God passionately worship Him not out of duty but from overflowing love, gratitude, and delight in who He is.

Obstacles to Pursuing God and How to Overcome Them

While God promises to be found by those who seek Him wholeheartedly, numerous obstacles can hinder our pursuit of intimacy with Him. Some obstacles are external—circumstances, opposition, or trials—while others are internal—attitudes, habits, or spiritual conditions. Recognizing these obstacles and learning how to overcome them is essential for maintaining passionate pursuit of God. Let us examine common hindrances to following hard after God and discover biblical strategies for overcoming them.

The first major obstacle is busyness and distraction. We live in an age of unprecedented distraction where entertainment, information, and activity are constantly available. Martha provides a biblical example of someone whose busyness hindered her fellowship with Jesus. Luke 10:40-42 records that Martha was "cumbered about much serving" while Mary "sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word." When Martha complained that Mary wasn't helping, Jesus responded, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." Martha's service was not inherently wrong, but it distracted her from what mattered most—sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His word. Many believers today are so busy with legitimate activities—work, family responsibilities, church involvement, hobbies—that they neglect the "one thing needful": cultivating intimacy with God through His Word and prayer.

To overcome this obstacle, we must deliberately prioritize time with God and protect it from encroachment. This requires saying no to good things so we can say yes to the best thing. Mark 1:35 records that Jesus "rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed." Despite intense demands on His time and energy, Jesus prioritized communion with the Father, getting up early to ensure He had uninterrupted time for prayer. If Jesus, who was God incarnate, needed dedicated time for prayer, how much more do we? We must schedule time with God as our highest priority and guard that time from interruptions and distractions. Psalm 5:3 expresses this commitment: "My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up." David committed to seeking God first thing in the morning, setting the tone for his entire day.

The third major obstacle is worldliness—loving the things of this world more than God. First John 2:15-16 warns, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." Worldliness is not merely participating in obviously sinful activities but allowing temporal things—possessions, pleasures, pursuits—to capture our hearts' affections that should be reserved for God. Jesus warned in Matthew 6:24, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon." Divided loyalty is impossible; we will love either God or the world, not both equally.

To overcome worldliness, we must cultivate eternal perspective—viewing everything in light of eternity rather than temporal concerns. Colossians 3:1-2 commands, "If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." We must deliberately set our minds and affections on eternal realities rather than temporal things. This doesn't mean we ignore earthly responsibilities, but it means we hold earthly things loosely, recognizing their temporary nature and refusing to allow them to capture our hearts. Second Corinthians 4:18 provides this perspective: "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." When we focus on eternal realities—God's character, His kingdom, His purposes—temporal things assume their proper, secondary place in our priorities.

The fourth major obstacle is spiritual dryness or feeling distant from God. Even passionate believers sometimes experience periods when God seems distant, prayer feels mechanical, Scripture seems lifeless, and spiritual fervor wanes. David experienced this, crying out in Psalm 42:1-2, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" David longed for God but felt spiritually thirsty and unsatisfied. The psalmist in Psalm 63:1 expresses similar longing: "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is."

When experiencing spiritual dryness, we must persevere in seeking God rather than giving up. Often spiritual dryness is not due to God withdrawing but to our own spiritual state—perhaps we've become spiritually complacent, perhaps sin has hindered fellowship, perhaps we've relied on past spiritual experiences rather than cultivating fresh intimacy with God. The solution is to continue seeking God diligently, examining ourselves for any sin that needs confession, and asking God to renew our passion for Him. Psalm 51:10-12 expresses this plea: "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." David asked God to create clean hearts, renew right spirits, and restore joy of salvation. God answers such prayers, reviving hearts that sincerely seek Him.

The fifth obstacle is discouragement from slow spiritual growth or repeated failure. Many believers become discouraged when they don't see rapid progress in sanctification or when they struggle with persistent sins. This discouragement can lead to giving up the pursuit of God or settling for mediocrity. However, Scripture encourages perseverance despite slow progress. Philippians 1:6 promises, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." God who began the work of salvation will complete it. Spiritual growth is a lifelong process, and we must have patience with ourselves while continuing to pursue God. Proverbs 24:16 declares, "For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again." Righteous people are not characterized by never falling but by rising again after falling. When we fail, we must confess sin, receive forgiveness, and continue pursuing God rather than wallowing in guilt or giving up in despair.

The sixth obstacle is opposition from others—whether persecution, ridicule, or lack of support from family or friends. When we pursue God passionately, others may not understand or may actively oppose us. Jesus warned that following Him could create division even within families (Matthew 10:34-37). However, He also promised that those who lose relationships for His sake will gain far more (Mark 10:29-30). When facing opposition, we must remember that pleasing God matters more than pleasing people. Acts 5:29 declares, "We ought to obey God rather than men." We must also find encouragement from fellow believers who share our passion for God. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts believers to "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." Fellowship with other believers who pursue God provides encouragement, accountability, and support that helps us persevere when facing opposition.