Daily Lectionary Readings and Devotion for Saturday, December 16, 2006

Here are the scripture readings for today.  Just click on the links to read ‘em.

Psalm 30, 32 - Morning

Psalm 42, 43 - Evening

Isaiah 8:1-15

2 Thessalonians 3:6-18

Luke 22:31-38

Today’s Featured Verses:  Psalm 42:1-2

¹As a deer longs for flowing streams,
   so my soul longs for you, O God.
²My soul thirsts for God,
   for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
   the face of God?

I really wish I felt the way that the psalmist who penned these words felt, but I have to admit that most of the time my longings and thirsts are not for the Holy One.  No, I long for money, prestige, power, respect, love, recognition . . . and I could go on and on here.  The list is almost limitless.  Yet even so, can I honestly say the list includes God?  Not very often.

So my prayer is this:  God, make me long for your presence in my life.  Make me thirsty for your Spirit and life in me. 

Of course with a prayer like this, I just might want to cross my fingers or say under my breath, “Just kidding, Lord.”  After all, what if God took me seriously if and when I prayed these words.  That, my friends, is a scary thought and worth pondering before I commit myself to any prayer, let alone the one above.