Longing

When the mornings are not too hot or not too cold, I love sitting out on our porch for quiet times. Seeing the clouds tinted by the rising sun. Hearing the birds chirp their morning songs. Feeling the breeze. There's something about being outdoors while meditating on God's word that draws me into His presence.

Psalm 130 was the psalm of the day in my One Year Bible. Reading and praying this psalm while outdoors was so refreshing to my soul. I didn't want to quit, but needed to jump in the shower and head to work. I pray that these words will linger in my soul throughout the day as the busyness of my workplace revs up:

From the depths of despair, O LORD,
I call for your help.
Hear my cry, O Lord.
Pay attention to my prayer.

LORD, if you kept a record of our sins,
who, O Lord, could ever survive?
But you offer forgiveness,
that we might learn to fear you

I am counting on the LORD;
yes, I am counting on him.
I have put my hope in his word.

I long for the Lord
more than sentries long for the dawn,
yes, more than sentries long for the dawn.

O Israel, hope in the LORD;
for with the LORD there is unfailing love
and an overflowing supply of salvation.

He himself will free Israel
from every kind of sin. -- Ps. 130:1-8

The psalmist's deep longing for the presence of the Lord in his life oozes out of this prayer. It's a cry of absolute dependence on the living God for everything. A cry that surely pleases the Lord, and a cry that will surely be answered by our faithful Lord.

Jim