I've spent the last couple of days at the SBCV meeting in Norfolk, Virginia. We have some incredible partners in ministry, and these are some of the best. I appreciate so many of these people who have poured life into me and into The Community.
Today there were two messages that hit my heart. One was by a man who has lead thousands into ministry and taught them to walk with God and to preach His word with passion. That would be B. Gray Allison. The other was from Tom Elliff. He was the pastor of the church where I went to much of elementary school.
Elliff's message is one I want to share with you in this devotion. Here are just some pieces of it that I caught:
Psalm 42:1-2 (NASB) --- As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; When shall I come and appear before God?
We learned that this Psalm was penned by King Hezekiah when Jerusalem was surrounded by an enemy. The king went before God. He pleaded with God. He was longing for God. The words of those verses talk about someone who is thirsty and in need of God. Thirst is a huge issue.
The essence of thirst is the scene of longing. What would satisfy you right now? Is it a new house, a new car, a new job or a new spouse? Is it God that will satisfy you? What you thirst for and what will satisfy you speaks volumes about who you are.
The existence of thirst is a sign of life. If you are never or not thirsty, then you are dead. How much does it take to fill you up? If we know God and love God, we will be thirst for God. But do we get enough for the week in one weekly church going? Do we read and read, study and study God's word. Being thirsty for God says a lot about our spiritual life.
The extent of your thirst is a sign of labor. When was the last time you stayed up all night agonizing and praying for something, maybe even hurting for the lost people in your community? Our desire to lead people to Jesus erupts from our spirit being filled by God. When we thirst, we share with others.
The exclusiveness of your thirst is a sign of love. But so often we want everything our way. It is kind of like water. Some people like their water from the tap, others from a bottle, or a little bottle or a blue pop top bottle. We want it our way. Some people want God the same way. When we are thirsty for God and satisfied by God, our love for Him is evident and real.
What would solve our thirst today?
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