By David Ettinger
Longing Hearts
It is clear to Bible-believing Christians that the days are getting ever-darker as the return of Jesus Christ gets ever nearer.
In these last days, God is giving Satan a longer leash in which to do what he does best: corrupt God’s truth, deceive the minds of unbelievers, and do everything he can to upend God’s plans for the redemption of Planet Earth.
Therefore, things will get terribly bad before they get wonderfully good.
As believers in the Lord Jesus, we expectantly await this time when things will get wonderfully good, and pray for its speedy arrival. However, we know this won’t be the case. As such, we must “occupy” – that is, go about the Lord’s business – until He returns (Luke 19:13).
It’s good to have these marching orders from the Lord, but as frail humans, it can often be difficult. As these evil days grow increasingly viler, I find myself longing for the goodness of God to be made manifest as soon as possible, and I’m sure you do as well.
This feeling of longing for God is something Christians should not ignore. Here in the West, too many Bible-believers are convinced we must take matters into our own hands by immersing ourselves in politics.
Though action is often beneficial, we need to be cognizant of just how deeply we should immerse ourselves, and understand that God has told us in advance about the darkness that will befall us in the last days (2 Timothy 3:1-9).
Therefore, sometimes it’s good for believers to just rest their minds, accept the growing evil, turn to God, and give all of our longing to Him.
If you’re of similar mind, here – without commentary – are 7 verses of longing for God which should refresh your heart.
Psalm 42:1
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, God.”
Psalm 73:25-26
“Whom do I have in heaven but You? And with You, I desire nothing on earth. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 119:81
“My soul languishes for Your salvation; I wait for Your word.”
Psalm 119:92-93
“If Your Law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my misery. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have revived me.”
Psalm 143:6
“I spread out my hands to You; my soul longs for You, like a weary land.”
Isaiah 26:9
“At night my soul longs for You, indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; for when the earth experiences Your judgments, the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness.”
Matthew 11:28
“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
May these verses bring you comfort in these ever-darkening and challenging days.
David Ettinger is a writer/editor at Zion’s Hope, Inc., and has written for Zion’s Fire magazine since its inception in 1990.
Adelheid
June 27, 2022
During worship time, I would sing Psalm 42:1 As the deer.
As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after Thee
You alone are my heart’s desire
And I long to worship Thee…
🥰🥰🥰
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dettinger47
June 27, 2022
This is a popular verse-turned-song. I know there are several versions of it. Thanks for sharing!
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vicklea
June 27, 2022
Psalms 42 and 73 are choruses that we used to sing in church many years ago. That’s how I memorized Scripture verses, by singing them.
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dettinger47
June 27, 2022
I knew that about Psalm 42, but not Psalm 73. Thank you, Vickie.
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bigskybuckeye
June 27, 2022
Thank you David for sharing these verses. I intend to study these texts further. Grace and peace be with you.
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dettinger47
June 27, 2022
Grace and peace to you, as well, Big Sky.
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Lisa Beth
June 27, 2022
Encouraging post David. I live those verses and concur with done comments here re singing the Psalms.
I am so grateful that Pastor Dave Wilkerson was ‘old fashioned’ and loved God’s word. We often sang songs from Psalms.
I know several and, when I’m feeling heavy hearted like today, I open up my Bible and start singing them.
I truly wish more churches would get back to singing psalms as Paul instructed the churches.
The word of God alone has power to minister to our hearts and to God.
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dettinger47
June 27, 2022
Great thoughts, Lisa Beth. Your insightful comments are worth reading!
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Lisa Beth
June 27, 2022
I meant I love those verses!
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rickskowronski
June 27, 2022
So powerful. I love praying verses back to the Lord. It helps me make them my own cry to God.
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dettinger47
June 27, 2022
Good insight, Rick. Thank you.
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heavensreef
June 28, 2022
Amen David, for every moment we even look into anything political may we spend even 10 times more with the LORD. Keep your focus upon HIM and HIM alone. We have this HOPE too, the HOPE in the LORD and ultimately that the enemy WILL be defeated!!
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dettinger47
June 28, 2022
Well said, Maxine. Thank you.
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