31 Days Toward Greater Wisdom - Proverbs 13 - Longing
Longing – Have you recognized two types of longing in your life? One that deeply desires the eternal presence of the Lord and the other that longs for more temporary things related to life now. Longing of the spirit and longing of the soul. Each type of longing has its rightful place in our lives, but spiritual longing is fulfilled by grace through faith, fueled by hope and facilitated through prayer. Soul longing, on the other hand, is often realized through unflinching vision and tenacious action engaged in prayer. Both require a commitment to prayer, but spiritual longing according to Proverbs 13:12 when fulfilled produces something eternal, poetically called a tree of life described in God’s presence in the Garden of Eden, Wisdom and The Paradise of God in Revelation. Soul longing when fulfilled seems more temporary and when fulfilled, called sweet to the soul (your mind, will and emotions). How quickly does bitterness of soul return to our lives once a soul longing is fulfilled? Bitterness of soul can be represented by anger, frustration, fear, depression, anxiety, hopelessness, unchecked disappointment, etc. Wisdom, in Proverbs 13 suggests we need both spiritual and soul longing and that we should wholeheartedly celebrate the fulfillment of both, but be careful to keep what you are longing for in the company of prayer as that is where our vision is sharpened, tenacity refueled and grace is realized. Perhaps today is a day to write down what you are longing for and confidently take that before the Throne of Grace.
- Listen - Proverbs 1
- Application - Proverbs 2
- Trust - Proverbs 3
- Focus - Proverbs 4
- Faithful - Proverbs 5
- Diligence - Proverbs 6
- Aware - Proverbs 7
- Decisive - Proverbs 8
- Learn - Proverbs 9
- Contrast - Proverbs 10
- Righteousness - Proverbs 11
- Speech - Proverbs 12
- Longing - Proverbs 13
Comments
May the LORD bless you as you keep going to the 31st! :)