7 Minute Read
Be Still
To the best of your ability, get rid of all distractions. Take a couple of minutes to breathe deeply, to quiet yourself in the Lord’s presence. Then, prayerfully ask the Lord to speak to you in this time and let Him know that you will be listening and will make whatever adjustments He will reveal to you.
Today’s Bible Reading:
Job 28:1–30:31
2 Corinthians 2:12-17
Psalm 42:1-11
Proverbs 22:7
Listen to the Lord
Slowly and reflectively read the following verses and listen to what God will say to you through them. Then, consider writing down any insights He reveals to you.
Psalm 42:1-2 (NLT): “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?”
Reflections from Scripture:
As we read Psalm 42:1-2, we come to realize something profound – there may be more, much more, to the Christian life than we are presently enjoying.
When we read the words of the Psalmist, we hear him compare his current condition to that of a thirsty deer. That animal cannot help but crave streams of water to satisfy its thirst. It knows that water will meet its deep and most pressing need.
The Psalmist said that he felt like that. Except that his thirst wasn’t physical; it was spiritual. And he wasn’t focused on water but on God. He knew that the craving deep in his soul could only be met in a relationship with God.
Far too many Christians don’t realize that a relationship with God can satisfy their deepest longing. Verses like some of those that follow testify to the fact that there have been people who did realize this truth…
Exodus 33:18 (NLT): “Moses responded, ‘Then show me your glorious presence.’”
Psalm 63:1 (NLT): “O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water.”
Isaiah 26:8-9 (NLT): “LORD, we show our trust in you by obeying your laws; our heart’s desire is to glorify your name. In the night I search for you; in the morning I earnestly seek you. For only when you come to judge the earth will people learn what is right.”
Philippians 3:8 (NLT): “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ”
Jeremiah 29:13-14 (NLT): “‘If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,’ says the LORD…”
Men and women through the ages have realized that there is so much more to Christianity than simply getting a ticket to Heaven. It is ultimately an invitation to enjoy God in this life and in the life to come.
Are you currently enjoying God so much that your heart is bursting with joy? If not, there is so much more for you to enjoy, friend. So have fun pursuing the God of all creation!
Spend Time in Prayer
Lord Jesus, I want for so much more than to simply enjoy the fact that I will reside in Heaven one day. I want to enjoy a soul-satisfying relationship with the God of all Creation. As I spend time in Your Word, in prayer, and living in active submission to the Holy Spirit throughout the moments of my day, please cultivate a desire for You in my heart. And then help me satisfy that desire as I get to know and enjoy Your more. I pray this in Your Name, Amen.
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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