December 10

My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence? — Ps 42:2 BSB

Have you ever longed for the Lord Jesus the way a deer thirsts for the water brooks? Have you ever found yourself lying in the dust, mourning over your sins in light of the bleeding, dying love of Jesus? Do you ever ask God to ignite in your soul a deep desire to have Jesus as your Savior, that He might be your joy here and your portion forever? Surely there is something in Him that cannot be found in anything else under the skies, and if it is not found here, it will not be found after this life. If you don’t have love or affection for Him, could it be because He hasn’t yet revealed Himself to your soul? But if He has shown Himself to you, you have seen and felt enough of His blessedness to know that there is no real peace or happiness outside of Him.

It’s true that you may face many trials and temptations, and many difficulties and sorrows may come your way, but don’t be discouraged. The love of Christ, if you have ever felt that love poured out in your heart, will make you more than a conqueror through all these challenges. May the Lord make us faithful to the truth that has been revealed to our consciences, and may the goodness and mercy of God shine into our hearts, spreading light and joy even in our darkest moments and toughest trials. Oh, to be found in Him on the great day, as members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones, to be considered the Lord’s “peculiar treasure” when He gathers His jewels! But where will those be who are not found in the Lord Jesus? They will cry out to the mountains and rocks to “fall on them and hide them from the face of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.”