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Long
Posted On: 09/19/2008 15:28:30
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The word ‘long’ is used today primarily to refer to a boring sermon or class in school that seemed to drag on forever. We may even use it to describe the size of someone’s foot or the length of their hair.
There is another use for the word that used to be more common but has been replaced by other words like desire. The Encarta Dictionary says this little used meaning is as an “intransitive verb” and means:
To want somebody or something very much.
There is a beautiful and comforting passage in Isaiah that uses the word in this context…
18 Therefore the LORD longs to be gracious to you, And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; How blessed are all those who long for Him. Isaiah 30:18 NASB
The word “therefore” refers to the rebellion of the people against God’s rule over them. Despite that rebellion, God still wants to bless us. He is waiting for us to come to Him in humility. What I really want you to notice is that the LORD God almighty, Creator of heaven and earth longs (wants very much, desires very much) to be gracious to you! How cool is that…to be wanted by God Himself.
Then notice that last sentence…we will be blessed when we long (want very much, desire very much) God. When we desire a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we WILL be blessed.
Interestingly enough, the dictionary says that ‘blessed’ means a couple of different things. One is to be made holy. When we come to know God, submit our lives to Him and let Him work in us, we will in fact become more like Him. He is a holy God. The other part of the definition of the word ‘blessed’ is bringing happiness or joy. This is a “Win-Win” situation! When we long for God, we will be made more holy as we submit to Him and we will be filled with joy!
May this be your prayer today:
2 O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2 NIV
SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD
Tags: Isaiah
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