Main Scripture:
Isaiah 26:9 - "My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness."
What does it mean to hunger for God's presence? The prophet Isaiah offers us a powerful example in his words in Isaiah 26:9. Here, he expresses his deep longing for God, both in the night and in the morning. His soul yearns for God, and his spirit longs for Him. This is not a passing fancy or a fleeting desire - it is a deep-seated hunger that permeates every aspect of Isaiah's life. And what is the result of this hunger? Isaiah tells us that "the people of the world learn righteousness" when God's judgments come upon the earth.
This is a profound truth that we can apply to our own lives. When we hunger for God's presence, we position ourselves to learn righteousness and grow in our faith. We become more attuned to God's voice, more aware of His love, and more aligned with His will. We also become more effective in sharing the gospel with others, as we model a life of devotion and surrender.
So, how can we cultivate a hunger for God's presence? Here are a few practical tips:
Start your day with God. Set aside a few minutes each morning to read the Bible, pray, and meditate on God's goodness. This will help you begin your day with a sense of purpose and direction, and it will also set the tone for the rest of your day.
Seek out a Christian community. Surround yourself with other believers who share your hunger for God's presence. Attend church regularly, join a small group or Bible study, and look for opportunities to serve others in Jesus' name. You will find that your faith is strengthened and your hunger for God deepens when you are in community with other believers.
Practice gratitude. Cultivate a heart of thankfulness, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. When we focus on what we have rather than what we lack, we open ourselves up to the blessings of God and deepen our trust in Him.
Prioritise rest. In our busy, fast-paced world, it can be hard to slow down and rest. But rest is essential for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Make time for Sabbath rest each week, and look for ways to incorporate rest and relaxation into your daily routine.
Prayer:
Dear God, we thank you for the gift of your presence. Help us to hunger for you, to seek you with all our hearts, and to learn righteousness as we draw near to you. Give us the strength and wisdom to prioritize time with you, even in the midst of busy schedules and competing demands. Surround us with Christian community, and help us to cultivate hearts of gratitude and rest. May our hunger for you deepen each day, and may we be a light to the world as we share your love and grace with others. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.