The Sought-for of God

Psalm 13
v.5 But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation
v.6 I will sing to the Lord, for He has been good to me.

As we draw closer to God, day by day, step by step, choice by choice, we find that it does not isolate us.

It is not moving deeper into a cave, or becoming isolated in a mountain valley. The more closely connected we become with the God of all the universe, the more deeply we feel His love and yearning for the redemption of all creation and most sharply for all mankind, created in His image.

Matthew 10
v.29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
v.30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
v.31 So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

But it is easy to love "mankind." To love the person next door, in the seat beside you, or pushing the other shopping cart in the store, requires being close enough to God to see with His eyes, hear with His ears, feel what is in His heart. God loves you; you have ample evidence of that from His many superlative blessings that you receive day in and day out. Your heart has melted at His loving touch, and He has blessed you with the richness of His presence by the Spirit of God.

Matthew 10:27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.

His heart is just as full for the other person, even though they are blocking your way through the supermarket or have cut you off in traffic or call at an inconvenient time and have much to say about what you don't need to know. Just as the person who reached you for God was able to show you the arms of God outstretched in love, so He has you designated to be His spokesperson to someone just as imperfect as you once were. Since we have been given the grace of God so bountifully, we can share it in humility with others about us, giving God the praise and drawing others with us as we continue to draw closer to God.

Proverbs 3
v.16 Long life is in her [wisdom's] right hand; in her left hand are richness and honor.
v.17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
v.18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

Father God, thank You for being our Benefactor, our Source, our Fear. We recall with overflowing hearts of praise and love the ways You have provided our needs, both spiritual and material, healing both our bodies and our souls. We acknowledge Your right to receive our reverential obedience, and we humble our selves before Your throne to receive Your directions, Your truths, and Your power for today.

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