1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.

2 My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence?

— Psalm 42:1-2

Whom have I in heaven but You? And on earth I desire no one besides You.

— Psalm 73:25

3 Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

— Isaiah 55:3, 6

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

— Matthew 11:28

I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

— Ephesians 1:18

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and love from Christ to you.

In every situation and for every person, God desires something more than our safe and secure religious heritage. He doesn’t want you to simply regulate your behavior to feel more successful. God wants to see you seek the Holy Spirit’s power to overcome sin and give Him the glory He deserves. He wants to see you yearn for Himself. There is more to pleasing God than completing a to-do list. God has been always seeking our hearts. God seeks to mold our hearts, not just monitor our behavior. He longs for us to return to Him, love Him, walk with Him, and trust Him. He orchestrates our lives to give us opportunities to do just that.

Though our sin has created a breach we cannot bridge by our own efforts, God’s stance toward us remains compassionate and welcoming. God stands before sinful humanity with open arms and a tender, persistent invitation to “come.” God made a way so we could turn from sin and come to Him, and He lovingly invites us to do so. When your past seems painful, your present complicated, and your future uncertain, God is calling you to Himself. God’s welcoming words reflect His tender heart toward the needy and wayward. God longs for us to draw near to Him and promises He will draw us close when we do.