We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Jacob Reed.
Bible Reading:
Psalms 63:1-4
“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer.”
Word:
So often, church follows a familiar structure: 3 songs, sermon, 1 song, announcements, “have a great week”. So often our alone time with God follows a familiar structure as well: Pray, devotional, worship music, etc. It’s slightly different for us all. And if we are being honest it goes like this some days: Try to pray, get distracted, think about stuff, read a devotional and try to remember what you just read, check email and texts.
There is a discipline in leaving structure behind in our worship. This may feel counterintuitive. How does having a less structured routine create greater discipline?
But look, this is the spirit of God we are dealing with. We already know HIS ways are higher than ours. And when we try to fit a wonderful, spontaneous, living, powerful spirit into segments or a program, we can miss out on so much that He might have for us.
These first 4 verses in Psalm 63 paint such a beautiful picture of what our spirits long for in our relationship with our God. To seek Him out in a world that leaves us empty, to long for Him, and to praise Him, lifting our hands in prayer.
The discipline is in getting to a quiet place alone and resisting the same motions. The Holy Spirit can move in so many cool ways when we do this. And that relationship with the Holy Spirit can grow so your very soul will thirst for Him. What is done in this private worship time will change us and those around us.
Prayer:
I lift my hands in prayer. Pour your spirit out. Be with me. Speak to me and quiet my soul to listen. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Skillwork:
Leaving structure and this world behind, break the routine, seek Him today and in the days ahead in new ways and new places. Let His spirit fill yours in this parched and weary land.
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