To pursue, as to seek, strive, follow close upon, and/or chase someone or something to attain or accomplish an end. This end can be an objective or purpose. To pursue an activity or interest is very different from the pursuit of a plan of action intended to carryout a purpose.
To overtake can mean; catch up with, pass while traveling in the same direction, or affect someone in a sudden and unexpected way. We can follow after men to either become even with, move past, or catch them to ask, “Why have you rewarded me evil for good?” From each example we have most assuredly overtaken them.
However, a biblical view of the word overtake would not have us to become even with evil men, nor catch up to past them in doing sinful works. We are led to use the Word of God; that it shall have an affect on people in a sudden and unexpected way. God’s life giving water fills the spirit with uncontrollable emotion that is too much for the carnal mind.
Once we pursue and overtake, there is a return to a normal state of health, mind, and strength. A recovery process begins to regain possession or control over what has been stolen or lost. It is not always material things that are stolen, that we seek to regain possession of, or control over. When we seek to remain sober through self-restraint against the power of addiction, we are thereby seeking to recover our lost abstinence. To pursue, overtake, and recover from that which has stolen the peace, joy, and confidence from our life. This now becomes recovery, which simply means, remaining sober. This recovery process of change is an action of securing that which has been stolen, or returning to a normal state of health, after an illness or injury.
So, pursue, overtake, and recover that which restores our wellness and full potential, by using a treatment strategy that was tailored specifically for you. The greatest cure, objective or activity; The Word of God, read it daily. It gives us purpose, to carry out a purpose.
1 Samuel 30:8
8 “And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”
Genesis 14:14
14 “And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.”
Exodus 15:9
9 “The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.”
Deuteronomy 19:6
6 “Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in time past.”
2 Samuel 15:14
14 “And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.”
2 Kings 1:2
2 “And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.”
2 Kings 5:3
3 “And she said unto her mistress, Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria! for he would recover him of his leprosy.”
2 Chronicles 14:13
13 “And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the Lord, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.”
Isaiah 11:11
11 “And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.”