ISAIAH 65:1 – I was ready to be sought by those who did not ask for me; I was ready to be found by those who did not seek me. I said, “Here I am, here I am,” to a nation that was not called by my name.

THEME OF THE DAY. LOOKING INTO THE HEART OF GOD. Today’s scripture is holy ground. Yes, all of scripture is such because it is God’s Word, yet, there are certain places we feel overwhelmed by the weight of its majesty, its power to grip our whole being, and its revelation of the heart of God. This is one of those places. Just ponder three words repeated twice – “I was ready”, then, meditate on the passion of the Lord’s revelation of Himself – “Here I am. Here I am.” We want to fall down before such a loving God in soul-exploding praise and a life of absolute surrendered to His Lordship. Again, settle into this one sacred verse of scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to show us how intense God’s love is toward us in wanting us to know Him, seek Him, and enjoy Him. And this isn’t restricted to the Old Testament. Observe the heart of Jesus for our fellowship revealed in His High Priestly prayer, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24).

When it comes to getting close to the Lord, not in knowledge alone, but in knowledge aflame that leads to a living and holy relationship with Him, no Christian would deny that is the longing of the heart. It is part of being born again. God the Spirit creates within the believing sinner a hunger for the Lord. This is one of the great marks of assurance. In the midst of dark and depressing times, lean on the fact we want to be close to the Lord; we want His Presence; we want to be like Him. These “wants” are never human generated. The very appetite and hunger for fellowship with God comes from God. Yet, we know by painful experience the weakness of the flesh, the strong temptations of the devil, and the never ending battle with sin that sometimes our desire weakens. We grow spiritually indifferent and lose consistency in seeking Him. And we hate those times of spiritual dryness so we resolve to “do better” but the battle for zeal is intense. We need strength. We need a greater source of motivation and energy to keep us keeping on in seeking the Lord. Today’s scripture and Jesus’ High Priestly prayer gives us both. Let’s consider how God’s heart for us creates a more disciplined life of having our heart toward Him.

First, remembering God’s deep and passionate desire for our fellowship makes clear His love for us. One of the greatest tactics of the devil to discourage Christians is to create doubt of God’s love for them. If he can accomplish this, we won’t enjoy the Lord nor be influential for the Lord. But we may defeat the devil by two things. First, run and hide under the cross of Christ. The greatest display of love occurred on Mt. Calvary. Stay there and the doubts of God’s love will vanish. Next, remember today’s scripture and God’s eagerness for us. He is moved to make Himself known to us because of His intense love for us. God really wants our company. He is eager to reveal Himself to us, and that so we might love Him, adore Him, worship Him, and walk with Him.

Another thing will happen to us when we see the eager heart of God for us to seek and know Him. We will find ourselves not neglecting the means of seeking and knowing Him. We won’t neglect the Bible, prayer, and church. When gripped with God’s love for us, we become consumed with the ways we may know more of this love. Spiritual consistency in the Word, prayer, and church is only sustained by the power of love. It is the power of God’s love for us that builds the “discipline of delight” to know more of this love and respond in love.

So, in the midst of busy lives, pull away from the fast lane, meditate on today’s scripture and Jesus’ High Priestly prayer. As we do, ask God to show us His heart for us.

PRAYER: “Father, please let Your heart for me create a more loving heart toward You.”

QUOTE: “Think often of God’s desire for us and watch how it creates a deepening desire for Him.”