I long and yearn for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh cry out for the living God. Psalm 84:2
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so my soul pants for You, O God! Psalm 42:1
https://youtu.be/EjyMY5hdU84 by Avalon Can’t live a day
Yearnings
As I drove down the road in the early morning sunshine, this song came on the radio and reduced me to paroxysms of tears. I had not thought of its words in a long time. But, the last week has been HARD! I woke up the other day YEARNING for a person now gone. I missed the strong arms, the encouragement, the love, the support, and I ached for the touch of his gentle and kind hands. He loved me with a passion. There was NOTHING I could do that he would not forgive, I had his total acceptance. He was a rare gift to this world. Someone said of him, “He was the sweetest man.” And he was. Our family is not the same…….I am only half a person.
The yearning I awakened too was a gut-wrenching ache. As I lay trying to find the courage to get up and face the day, the Holy Spirit spoke to my soul. He ever so gently said to me, “This is what I want you to feel for Me.”
(Used by written permission of the artist with our deepest thanks!)
Longing for the wrong things
I have been on a journey the last few years, seeking to understand exactly what it means to be the Bride of Christ. I fall woefully short of the standard. How do I know this? Because I do not truly yearn for Him like I do for my now long ago gone husband. This morning I was reminded that looking back is a longing for the wrong thing. Looking back, Lot’s wife turned into a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26)
Fidelity Trust Unconditional Love
What will it take for me to feel this kind of yearning to be worthy of being His Bride. The Word is clear, not all will be given this privilege. Salvation is free and for all who believe He is the One and Only Son of the Living God and put their faith in Him; but to be His Bride requires commitment, having no affections above Him. It requires giving up my own agenda. It demands fidelity. There is the expectation of coming fully exposed into His Presence with confidence He will find me worthy of the special place in His heart. There can be no deceit in my heart. I must walk with Him in the Garden naked and unashamed. Does this make you as uncomfortable as it does me? (Revelation 19:7-9) Convicting isn’t it?
The engagement period
Do you recall your engagement period? Do you remember the longing, the anticipation, the physical ache to be with your beloved? Can you honestly say you feel this for the Lord Jesus? I am asking myself these piercing questions and I am not able to answer candidly a resounding yes. But I can say this: I now understand what He is wanting. He desires a devoted Bride. A Bride who loves Him first and foremost! Remember your wedding vows? To love, honor, obey (respect God’s design), to cleave only to your beloved, and STAY until death no matter what. He has given His very life for your freedom and to bear His Holy name!
Only God can fill this space
This is not a feel good truth. It is a Hard Truth! The loss of my precious man has left a vacuum in my heart. No one else will fill that space and only God HImself can give me the grace to get up, face life on earth without this kind of love. He beckons me to let Him use me to TESTIFY to His love which fills the ache of every heart.
https://youtu.be/2Kd5ehaYE8Y Testify to Love -Wynonna Judd
