Identify your deepest desires—what you dream about, what occupies your mind, and what dominates your time. Now—ask yourself “What am I doing to satisfy those longings?” Am I working harder? Making myself more physically desirable or wealthy? Is whatever you’ve chosen to satisfy yourself really working? Do you wake up in the morning and feel like something huge is missing from your life? Or, perhaps you feel as if your life has little meaning and that no one really loves you the way you KNOW you were made to be loved? Wouldn’t you love to have your deepest desires perpetually satisfied?
Did you know that you were designed by God and that satisfying your deepest desires is a job for Him alone?
But, my friend, allowing God to become our greatest satisfaction is a daily battlefield. Our enemies know this truth. That’s why the Bible warns us to “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 Therefore, it should not be shocking to us—even if we’ve walked with God for years—that we easily fall into dissatisfaction and emptiness. In fact, the Psalmist described this experience:
“For the enemy has persecuted my soul; he has crushed my life to the ground; he has made me dwell in darkness, like those who have long been dead. Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed.”
Psalms 143:3-4
Our soul needs to be renewed in God’s presence—EVERY morning!
Like the Psalmist, we EACH need to make it our soul’s sustaining HABIT to feed our deepest longings with the magnificent and satisfying goodness of God’s presence. The Psalmist wrote:
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.”
Psalms 143:5-6, 8
We often think that some people “find” God in a way that others do not. Or perhaps that God seems to manifest HIS presence to some people while many others struggle along with just a half-way experience. But God does NOT play favorites within his household. Everything God has ever done for ONE of his children, He wants to do for ALL of His children.
The reason for our lack of satisfaction is not because God has favorites, but it’s because we haven’t made God our favorite.
We are each born with a spiritual awareness of our need for God. When this deep longing is fed by something LESS than God, we are ALWAYS hungry. But when that spiritual longing causes us to cultivate our relationship with God, we KNOW how to satisfy our deepest longings—because we have experienced the presence of God. We have experienced the love of God. We have experienced His remarkable forgiveness. And we have cultivated supernatural faith. He has replaced our desperate loneliness with His love.
Even the strongest Christian must fight this battle on a daily basis. It’s the struggle we face in this fallen world of sin. Do not be discouraged. Seek God. Reserve your greatest passion for HIM. Pray, as the Psalmist did:
“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. Revive me, O Lord, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.”
Psalms 143:10-11
If you feel a desperate, inner longing—then you CAN do something about it. You must first receive God’s gift of salvation so your spirit is made alive and able to communicate with Him. Then, you must grow in your relationship with Him. He longs to fill your life with His remarkable presence and give you a piece of Heaven while you walk this journey on earth.
In God’s glorious presence, we are made whole.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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In the presence of God is the fullness of joy.