Our church, Odyssey, is preparing to re-launch in January. We'll be changing our name, doing prayer walks, flyers, etc. But before we begin all that we must be ready spiritually. This month we are focusing on Longing for God. Each week we are sending out 2 devotionals tied into the previous sermon. I feel priveldged to write one each week. I'd like to share them here with you all.

Longing for God’s Presence

Isaiah 43:1-5

But now, this is what the Lord says- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Isreal;

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name;

you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.

Since you are precious and honored in my sight,

and because I love you,

I will give men in exchange for your life.

Do not be afraid, for I am with you…”

In our church, we have many little children running around each week. It’s a joy to watch them play, interacting, and loving being at church. But what does a child do when he falls and hurts himself? Naturally, he runs into the loving arms of his parents. He knows there is love and security in those arms. This past Sunday, Hannah wasn’t feeling well so she sat through the service in her stroller. During the sermon, she reached out and just held my hand. When Eric joined us, she held onto his hand. As parents, our hearts filled with love and joy as our daughter just wanted to hold our hands. Young children have an intense longing to be close to their parents. As we turn into teenagers or young adults, we fight for our independence often rejecting that longing. As adults, whether our relationship with our parents is good, bad or indifferent, we still feel that longing surface from time to time.

So it is with our Heavenly Father. As brand-new believers, we can’t get enough time with our Savior. Then we get busy and set our relationship with Jesus aside. Occasionally, we feel the longing for His presence. Sometimes we answer it, sometimes we don’t. It is our hope during this preparation time is that all of us at Odyssey will focus on knowing our God more intimately. Look at Isaiah 43: 1-5. Our Heavenly Father is with us, no matter what is going on in life. He loves us deeply and we are “precious and honored” in His sight. His heart swells with love and joy when we reach out to hold His hand.

Reflection: Right now, how close do you feel to God? Can you remember a time when God was with you as you walked through the waters or fire?

Application: 1. Reflect on God’s intense love for you while slowly reading each statement in Isaiah 43: 1-5. 2. Make it your goal each day this week to spend 10 extra minutes drawing closer to your Heavenly Father. You can pray, read the Bible, worship, etc.