Inner thirst

The psalmist speaks of an inner thirst: ‘As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you’ (v.1). He continues, ‘My inner self thirsts for God’ (v.2, AMP). Only God himself can satisfy this thirst. Knowledge about God will not satisfy your inner thirst. Cry out for God’s presence. Meet with God (v.2) and pour out your soul (v.4).

Seeking God

However, seeking God requires discipline and patience – you have to learn to wait on God. You can miss out if you are in too much of a hurry.
Moses tells the people to ‘listen’ to these instructions, ‘learn them’, ‘live them’ (v.1, MSG). If you seek God daily, persistently and wholeheartedly, you will find life in all its fullness, and it will transform the way that you love and serve others.

He then goes on to explain how persistence is just as important in your relationship with God. ‘Keep on asking... keep on seeking... keep on knocking... For everyone who asks and keeps on asking receives; and he who seeks and keeps on seeking finds; and to him who knocks and keeps on knocking, the door shall be opened’ (vv.9–10, AMP).

Jesus particularly relates this to receiving the Holy Spirit (v.13). You need to keep on seeking for more of the Holy Spirit and his wisdom and power in your life.

Spend time with God Marta v Mary

Mary had her priorities right. She ‘sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he said’ (v.39). She realised that, although there were many distractions and worries around, there was nothing more important than simply sitting at Jesus’ feet and listening to him. This should be your number one priority. Martha was too busy to take time to enjoy her friendship with Jesus when he came to her home. Not spending time with Jesus is the biggest mistake you can make in your spiritual life. Nobody on their death bed ever said, ‘I wish I had spent more time at the office.’ Many regret not spending more time on their most important relationships.

Help the needy

Draw near to people who are in need – get involved and help them. You are never more like God than when you are helping hurting people, lifting up the fallen and restoring the broken. This must be a high priority in your life.

Mountain top and valley

Mountaintops inspire us, but valleys mature us. The tough realities of life awaited the disciples at the bottom – failure in their ministry, lack of understanding and rivalry. But the experience of the mountain can help you to see your life down below in a new and different way.

Truth and love

Jesus personified God’s love but he also said, ‘I am… the truth’ (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit pours God’s love into your heart (Romans 5:5) but is also the Spirit of truth (John 15:26). Truth becomes hard if it is not softened by love; love becomes soft if it is not strengthened by truth.

Give up your life

Jesus said that if you and I live a life of selfish ambition – even if you are the most successful person of all time and ‘gain the whole world’ (v.25) – it will do you no good at all. The way to find life in all its fullness is to abandon your life to the love of Jesus and of others. Take up your cross daily and follow him (v.23). Being willing to give up your life is the ultimate act of love. This is the example that Jesus set first. He calls you and me to follow his example: ‘cleave steadfastly to me, conform wholly to my example in living and, if need be, in dying’ (v.23, AMP).