“O True God, You are my God, the One whom I trust. I seek You with every fiber of my being. In this dry and weary land with no water in sight, my soul is dry and longs for You. My body aches for You, for Your presence.”

Psalm 63:1 (The Voice)

With one look at the news and the condition of suffering humanity, the world is looking for a cure for a pandemic that has been ravishing the human race. People have been distraught where hopelessness abounds. It’s hard to turn a deaf ear to those who are suffering. Human suffering has gone way beyond the material world. All the finances in the world cannot save us. All of our resources and human ability could not subside the fears that are haunting humanity. We are living in a “dry and weary land with no water in sight.”

“I have seen You in Your sanctuary and have been awed by Your power and glory” (Psalm 63:2 Voice). David, the author who wrote Psalm 63, had encountered God’s power and glory before. It was not new to him for he had encountered God many a times. He knew that only God could save him from destruction. In times of desperation, David’s soul was longing for God’s sweet presence. He was longing to be in His dwelling place. He was desperate to go into the secret place where God would meet him. He would find refuge in His presence where God would whisper to him and bring comfort and joy.

It’s in those moments, like David, we need cry out to God and desperately pursue Him. The Lord spoke through the prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 ESV). Casual seekers will not ”find” God. The desperate soul will. We must bring ourselves as an offering to God as our reasonable service (Romans 12:1). Are you willing to give up “potato chips” for a day? Are you willing to stop using social media for a week? Are you willing to sacrifice your time and give it to God in prayer? Are you willing to change by getting out of your daily routine and get alone with God until you are not alone anymore? It is only when you encounter God’s presence and glory, that He begins to transform your life. He will break things off of you, remove things out of you, deposit a greater anointing in you. He will sanctify and set you apart for Him. Freedom comes from God and He will give you the Freedom to Reign! “Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:36 NKJV).

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
When the Lord saved me, I was personally in a “dry and weary land.” It was only because of His great mercy and people praying for me that God gave me the opportunity for me to respond to His great salvation. It was through a personal encounter with Jesus, I repented of my sins, forsook my ways and made Him the Lord of my life. Immediately after making Him the Lord of my life I asked Jesus, “What do I do now?” Without missing a beat, He said to me, “Follow me.” I asked Him, “Lord, where are You? How can I follow You if I can’t see You?”

He replied, “You have a Bible at home (someone gave it to me which was collecting dust on my bookshelf) you will find me in My Word (Bible) and follow Me.” I was confused but I obeyed and started reading the Bible and continually sought God through prayer and worship. By seeking Him and being desperate for His presence, His power and glory began to heal my heart and cleanse my soul. He delivered me from my fears and hopelessness. Erasing my past, forgiving me of all my sins and mistakes and making me whole in Him. Encountering God is what our soul longs for. In His presence is where we all want to be. In His presence, there’s fullness of joy and Freedom to Reign! (Pastor Scott Tsuha)

TODAY’S DECLARATION
“Lord, my soul longs for You. I’m desperate for You and I need You more in my life. If there’s anything in my heart that I’ve placed between us, anything that has taken me off course with You, please show me so I may remove it from my life. I need You. I want You. I desire You. I have a broken and contrite heart over the things that don’t please You. Restore my life. Thank You for Your mercy and grace. Thank You for making me whole again and granting me Freedom to Reign in this life through You!”

TODAY’S BIBLE READING

• Old Testament: Ezra 8; Proverbs 6
• New Testament: Luke 14:25-35; 1 Timothy 4