For my daily study, I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today looks at Psalm 42 and how the psalmist is not seeking relief from trial or challenge but instead is seeking God Himself. John Piper shares "[i]t’s not wrong to want relief, and to pray for it. It is sometimes right to pray for the defeat of enemies. But more important than any of that is God himself. When we think and feel with God in the Psalms, this is the main result: We come to love God, and we want to see God and be with God and be satisfied in admiring and exulting in God." Piper then explores what is meant in Psalm 42:2 where it asks "when shall I come and appear before God?" Piper explains how this question can be translated into “[w]hen will I come and see the face of God?" He points to John 14:9 and 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 where the answer is provided as the face of Christ. Piper wraps the devotion by charging believers to seek that "the Lord increase [our] hunger and [our] thirst to see the face of God. And may he grant [our] desire, even today, through the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - giving me access to You through Yourself! Thank You Jesus. I am not deserving of such love and compassion. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
