In today’s lesson of the Breaking Free study, Beth Moore asks: "Do you presently have a yearning for the presence of God? I’m not talking about guilt feelings or even conviction of sin when He’s not your priority. I’m referring to a yearning for God that draws you over and over into His presence. A yearning that makes only a few days without time in prayer and His Word seem like an eternity."
A few days ago, I emailed two of my dearest friends, saying: "I want to hear [the Lord] and go through the doors God chooses for me. I want to learn again to be still before Him. So would you both pray for me in that regard?"
It’s so hard in this world we live in of 24/7 news and cell phones that make us available 24/7 and email and entertainment and responsibilities and the need to nurture relationships and a host of other things to simply be still before God. Especially during this season of the year. And I know that stillness in His presence is what He is calling me to experience, His presence in the quiet, a time for loving Him. Everywhere I turn He is speaking to me about this. In Sunday’s sermon. In my Bible study. In the worship songs that play in my iTunes.
This morning, I listened to this song over and over again (You Are Everything, Everything I Need by Brian Doerksen):
My soul is yearning for Your living stream
My heart is aching for You
All that I long for is found in Your heart
You are everything I needYou are the thirst
You are the stream
You are the hunger living deep inside of me
You are the food that satisfies
You are provision for the journey of our lives
You are everything You are
Simple, simple words but so profound.
Lord, You are both the thirst and the water that quenches it. You are both the hunger and the food that fills me. Cause me to love You above all else. Cause me to seek You throughout my day, throughout my life. Bring me into Your sanctuary and teach me to abide in You. I love You, Lord. Teach me to love You more. And in loving You, help me to be a reflection of the miracles You have worked in my life. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit. In Christ’s magnificent name, Amen.
May you, dear reader, experience His awesome presence today.
In the grip of His grace,
Robin
