LONGING FOR JESUS

 

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

 

LONGING FOR JESUS

 

Psalm 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 

Psalm 42:2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? 

 

          I rise early so that I may be alone with my thoughts, and lately with my aches. This morning, I felt a strong melancholy longing for a closer connection with my God. Believers, if you experience this longing, pursue it in prayer for you have just tapped into the longing that God has for you.

 

As the hunted hart instinctively seeks after the river to lave its smoking flanks and to escape the dogs, even so my weary, persecuted soul pants after the Lord my God. Debarred from public worship, David was heartsick. Ease he did not seek, honor he did not covet, but the enjoyment of communion with God was an urgent need of his soul. [Treasury of David]

 

          Years ago, I used to join my church in singing a short chorus that helped to soothe this spiritual thirst. Sing it a few times. Let your spirit visualize your Savior. Enjoy the close communion with God.

 

Longing, longing for Jesus,

I have a longing in my heart for Him;

Just to be near Him,

To feel His presence,

I have a longing in my heart for Him.

 

Dear Lord, satisfy every weary soul that thirsts for Thee. AMEN

 

HIS WILL HIS GLORY!

 

Monday, February 9, 2026

 

HIS WILL HIS GLORY!

 

Luke 22:42-43

42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.

 

John 12:27-28

27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

 

John 8:29

29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

 

          Jesus is our example of One who considers both God’s will and God’s glory in everything. He came down from heaven and set aside certain divine prerogatives so that he could take on human form. It was God’s will and would bring Him glory.

 

          When it came time for Jesus to die, he went to Gethsemane to pray. He asked for the “cup” to pass if it was God’s will. It was not! Dying on the cross would bring God glory because it would open a way for sinful man to be reunited to God. Jesus did always those things that pleased His Father!

 

          “Purpose driven” is almost a copyrighted phrase these days. It is an often-borrowed ministry model, but what would happen if we were driven by the purpose of doing God’s will in everything? We would understand that both the yes and the no answers to our prayers are equally good. We can’t always see that, but we must try to understand it. How would our lives change if we purposed to bring God glory in everything we do?

 

John 15:7-8

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

 

Dear Lord, I know that even when you say no to my prayers You have a better purpose in mind. Help me to glorify you in my responses. AMEN

 

CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK!

 

Saturday, February 7, 2026

 

CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK!

 

2 Cor 4:7-8

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.

 

Ps 28:1

28 Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.

 

          Despair is to no longer have any hope or belief that a situation will improve or change! It always focuses on the circumstances and ignores the possibilities. It pursues us with hard facts and laughs in the face of faith. It mocks!

 

          Paul reminds us that the treasure of the Gospel resides in our fragile clay. We are always in danger of being dashed to pieces. In 2 Corinthians 11:25, Paul lists his troubles. “Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep.”

 

          Despair hunts each of us because of relentless evil in our land. Our political system is a woolen coat and our culture wears like sack cloth, but I am reminded of a gospel song that cheers me. It goes like this …

 

My Hope Is Built (The Solid Rock)

 

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

 

Refrain
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

 

Dear Lord, let me flee to my Rock this morning. AMEN