Our Longing for the Lord

Welcome back to Faith Connection Friday where we connect our lives to faith! Thank you so much for your encouraging words.

Photo: ChurchArt

Delay. Desire. Eagerness to receive. Hope. Longing. Patience. Waiting . . . Yearning.

Yearning is a deep emotion that is connected to hope. If the Lord wills, a promise or desire will be fulfilled–until then, the anticipation continues.

Several examples of yearning are found in the Holy Bible. In several of his letters, the apostle Paul records his longings for the church, such as growing spiritually and pursuing a life of holiness. Luke tells of Jesus weeping as He longed for His people to return to Him and serve Him with their whole heart, soul, mind, and strength (Luke 19:41-44). Romans teaches that even creation groans as it longs for the day in which it will be free from the curse of sin (Romans 8:18-25).

We experience yearning and hope when we lose someone dear. I have heard family members, friends, and those who would soon change their residence to heaven, testify of God’s faithfulness in their lives and their families. It reminds me of the verse that says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). Jesus yearns to welcome us home and take us in His arms. Those who have gone before us anticipated being in the presence of our Savior and reuniting with their loved ones. Those of us who remain do the same.

Our Faith Connection Challenge: Just as Jesus longs for us, may we long for Him. We can yearn to know Him, to serve Him, to love Him. We have the hope that one day we will see Him face to face. A beautiful, heartfelt song that expresses our desire for the Lord is, “We Long for You,” by Travis Cottrell. It is my hope that you accept this as your prayer to the Lord, longing for Him.

Lord, I long for You. I yearn to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. May the words of the Scriptures and the song reflect my deepest longing for You. Thank You. In Your precious Name. Amen.