MAINTAIN THE FERVENCY OF THE SPIRIT

09/24/2023

"As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God!" (Psalm 42:1).

There is a fellowship with the Father that is required for us to fulfill our destinies in God. And it is one that is characterized by pure passion and purpose and makes the very presence of the Father palpable. David described this kind of fellowship in Psalm 42:1 when he said: "As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God!" I am inspired each time I meditate on David's cravings for God's manifested presence. He had to have known something many others were unaware of because how else can we describe such depth and passion? From studying the writings of David, I have observed that his cravings were not sporadic. David had a consistent, unquenchable hunger and thirst for God. Each time I read Psalm 63:1, I am forced to take a deep breath because it does something to my spirit. David wrote: "You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." 

David didn't just say that his spirit longed for God; he said his whole being (spirit, soul, and body). What a connection! What a relationship! What a passion! How could anyone be so passionate about God that their very physical being begins to yearn for His presence? I don't know if you have ever seen an addict dealing with withdrawal symptoms. It is a helpless state for many. Here, David likens his passion for God's presence to that of an addict in withdrawal. The question then is, why was David so passionate about the presence of God? Psalm 63:2 gives us the answer: "To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary." Hallelujah! 

I'll say it again: there is a fervency that we must maintain as God's children. We must have an unquenchable fire for God. We must have a glow of God's divine presence that is so evident to the people of the world. The Apostle Paul describes it as being on fire with the Spirit (Romans 12:11). 

Jesus called John the Baptist "...a burning and a shining light.." (John 5:35). That name did not come through lukewarmness. It took fervency, passion, and dedication to God and His agenda. The Spirit of God does not want to be unnoticed in our lives. He needs us to express His grace and love and the reality of Christ's abiding victory. He is calling for fervency. He is calling out for the fire that is in your spirit, what John referred to as your first love (Revelation 2:4). Paul said, "Do not put out the Spirit's fire" (1 Thessalonians 5:19). 

Child of God, you were born with that fire! You were born ablaze for God. So, don't settle for an ordinary life. Fan the flame of God's Spirit in you. Be full of the Word of God at all times. Maintain a consistent prayer life, especially by praying in the spirit, and always walk in love. These three simple things will keep you on fire for God. Also, do not forget to take advantage of the help of the Holy Spirit. Yield to Him today. He loves you, and I know you love Him dearly. So, choose to be a burning and shining light to your world today. 

God bless you!

Faith-Filled Confession

I am a burning and shining light. I light up my world with the glory of God's presence. I dominate, triumph, and rule over darkness and all its composites by the glory of God's presence. 

ONE YEAR READING PLAN: Song of Solomon 6-8; Galatians 1