“Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me” (Proverbs 1:28, ESV).

God tells us that if we seek Him, we will find Him. But there is a limit. If you set your heart on Him, you will find Him. He wants you to find Him. He desires all to come to repentance and be saved. He reveals Himself in nature, in circumstances. He shows His faithfulness in the rising of the sun and His power in the storm. He’s there to be found by anyone seeking Him. These people in this scripture have been set on themselves and have been ignoring God.

In earlier verses, God points out how He has been calling to them and has reached out to them, but they ignored Him and refused to listen. He also shows His heart for them, because even in this frustration, God says He will give them His words and His Spirit if they would repent. His desire is for them in all this.

That is His heart even when He turns away from them. It breaks His heart. His heart hasn’t changed; it’s just the way it must be to satisfy justice, to maintain holiness, to teach believers the fear of the Lord so that we can be saved. After all God had done to try and get them to come to Him, while they consistently ignore and reject Him, they then call on God just when they are desperate for something for themselves. God knows their hearts and doesn’t respond.

He doesn’t answer when they call. He doesn’t allow them to find Him. It’s like Pharaoh “repenting” just to get what he wants and then goes back to his selfishness when he gets it. God knows their hearts. They have shown Him their hearts.

Here are the verses that follow, “Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster” (Proverbs 1:29-33, ESV).

What is your choice? What are you seeking after? Do your actions show you are seeking after God or something else? What does your time, money, energy show about the choice you have made?