in the way of your testimonies i delight as much as in all riches. [psalm 119:14]
Lord, forgive me. for i find delight in many things besides you.
i find a taste of joy in so many things, many of which, are echoes of you, but they are not you.
i find delight in sunrises, a crisp cool fall day, the beginning of football season, a new pair of socks, a fun hike, a great run, a long walk with my wife, a slow day, laughing with my grown kids, great vacations, watching your leaders grow, preaching, and more,
i find a taste of joy in so many things, some of which have little or nothing to do with you.
i find delight in avoiding conflicts, running from stress, finding comfort in every place but you, being right, being accepted by others, finding approval in my kids, not being questioned, satisfying my passions, and more.
and all of these – at some point – are sin. LORD, forgive me.
today, …
i long for more than a taste of joy.
i long for a consuming joy.
i long for a consuming joy that can only be found in you o LORD.
fill me with you. satisfy my soul with you. i wait for you or LORD. fill me!
[1] for God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.[2] he alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; i shall not be greatly shaken.
[5] for God alone, o my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. [6] he only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; i shall not be shaken. [7] on God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. [8] trust in him at all times, o people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. [psalm 62:1-2, 5-8]
~ john ryan