Longing for God: A Heart That Seeks Him

Scripture: "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." — Psalm 42:1 (NIV)

Devotional Thoughts

Have you ever felt a deep longing that you couldn’t quite explain? A pull in your heart that nothing else could satisfy? That’s the kind of thirst the psalmist describes in Psalm 42—a desperate craving for God’s presence.

Picture a deer, exhausted and thirsty, searching for water. It doesn’t stop until it finds what it needs. That’s the kind of desire God wants us to have for Him—a longing that keeps us seeking Him daily. The Apostle Paul echoed this hunger in Philippians 3:10 when he said, "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings." Paul’s greatest desire was to know Jesus more deeply.

As we begin 2025, let’s make it our goal to know God more intimately. Don’t settle for a shallow relationship with Him—let’s press in and experience more of His presence, peace, and power in our lives.

This season of fasting provides us with a unique opportunity to fix our attention solely on God. It’s a time to silence distractions, draw closer to Him, and realign our hearts with His purposes. Don’t miss out on this opportunity—be a part of it. Let fasting become a doorway to deeper intimacy with God and renewed focus for the year ahead.

Practical Reflection

Make Time for God Daily: Start your mornings with Scripture, prayer, and quiet time with Him. Let Him be the first voice you hear each day.
Evaluate Your Spiritual Walk: Ask yourself—am I growing closer to God, or have I been drifting? Be honest and make adjustments where needed.
Pursue Deeper Faith: Like Paul, desire to know Christ and His resurrection power. Make worship, thanksgiving, and trust in Him a daily habit.
Incorporate Fasting: Fasting is a powerful way to shift your focus fully onto God. It helps clear distractions and brings your heart into alignment with Him. Use fasting as a time of prayer and renewal, seeking His presence above all else.

Closing Thoughts

This year, let’s make seeking God our top priority. He is the source of life, peace, and purpose. The more time we spend in His presence, the more we’ll reflect His love and character. Just as a deer depends on water to survive, our souls depend on God to truly live. Let 2025 be a year of drawing closer to Him.

Prayer

'Lord, I need You more than anything else this year. Just like a deer longs for water, my soul longs for You. Draw me closer and help me to seek You daily. Teach me to trust You, love You, and reflect Your goodness in all I do. Help me to use fasting as a tool to refocus my heart and attention fully on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.