Deeper in WorshipSýnishorn

Day 10—Worship involves longing

Devotional
Few Psalms show the same level of emotion and sheer desperation as Psalm 42. The opening verses are rich in metaphors for the psalmist’s deep desire to be in God’s presence (Psalm 42:1-2 NIV). Thus, the challenge for us is evident right from the start. Do you long to be in God’s presence? The psalmist mentions three times that his soul is downcast (Psalm 42:5, 6, 11 NIV) and is quick to remind himself to put his hope in God (Psalm 42:5, 11 NIV), to remember the Lord (Psalm 42:6 NIV), and to praise his Saviour (Psalm 42:11 NIV). There can be times in life when you are too downcast and your instinctive response may be to withdraw from worshipping the Lord, but not so with this psalmist. He is determined to contend for more of God and the refreshing and renewal of his soul. In his letter to the church at Philippi, the Apostle Paul urges them to grow in their relationship with Christ (Philippians 3:8 NIV) and to lay aside earthly, temporal gains in favour of being found in Him (Philippians 3:9 NIV). Paul wanted to not only “know Christ and the power of His resurrection, but to share in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.” What do you consider to be the gains of pursuing Christ? Call those things to mind today and allow these things to stir your heart to worship.

Prayer
Lord, create in me a deep hunger and thirst for You and for the things of Your Kingdom.

Application
Consider today how thirsty your soul is for the presence of the living God. Have you become spiritually dry in some way? If so, ask the Holy Spirit to fill you once again, that you might “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12.30)

Siân Rees