When you think of longing what comes to mind?  Perhaps you have been parched and really longed for a drink.  Or maybe you missed a spouse or child who was away and longed for their return.  The Bible talks about longing for God is such a way.  We need God like we need our morning coffee or even more so like we need oxygen.  Let’s look at Isaiah’s words together today. 

Lord, be gracious to us;
    we long for you.
Be our strength every morning,
    our salvation in time of distress.

At the uproar of your army, the peoples flee;
    when you rise up, the nations scatter.

Your plunder, O nations, is harvested as by young locusts;
    like a swarm of locusts people pounce on it.

The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;
    he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.

He will be the sure foundation for your times,
    a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
    the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

Isaiah reminds us that God is our strength.  He is our salvation.  He is our exalted King.  He is our solid foundation and treasure trove of wisdom and knowledge.  When we think of all that God is and does for us then our longing for Him and for His presence and provision grows.  The problem is too often we go through life in our own strength and in our own direction.  The people of Israel struggled with this over and over again and needed reminders like this one from Isaiah to renew their longing for God.  We can experience the same struggles in our lives as well.  May we be reminded today and every day of our need for God.  May our longing to be with Him and depend upon Him grow each day.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave