In what ways can we cultivate a deeper desire for God's salvation? The Cry of the Psalmist “I long for Your salvation, O LORD, and Your law is my delight.” – Psalm 119:174 Seeing Salvation as a Person, Not Just a Concept • God’s salvation is found in the Lord Himself (Isaiah 12:2). • Cultivate desire by fixing the eyes of the heart on Christ’s character, not merely on escape from trouble (Hebrews 12:2). • Personal affection fuels perseverance; “Though you have not seen Him, you love Him” (1 Peter 1:8). Feeding Desire through Delighting in the Word • Read widely: take in the full sweep of redemptive history. • Read slowly: linger over passages that showcase the Savior (Luke 24:27). • Memorize promises that anchor hope (John 14:3; Revelation 22:20). • Meditate: turn phrases of Scripture into whispered praise throughout the day (Psalm 1:2). Practices That Stir Up Holy Longing • Worship with songs centered on the cross and the return of Christ (Colossians 3:16). • Fast occasionally to remind the body that “man shall not live on bread alone” (Matthew 4:4). • Keep the Lord’s Supper central; it proclaims His death “until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26). • Serve the needy; every act of mercy mirrors the gospel we crave (Matthew 25:40). Guardrails against Drifting Desires • Reject rival saviors—comfort, entertainment, approval (1 John 2:15-17). • Confess sin promptly; unconfessed sin numbs spiritual taste buds (Psalm 66:18). • Stay yoked to godly companions who sharpen anticipation for glory (Hebrews 10:24-25). Echoes of Longing across Scripture • “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You” (Psalm 42:1-2). • “We wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23). • “We eagerly await a Savior from heaven” (Philippians 3:20). • “Your name and renown are the desire of our souls” (Isaiah 26:8). Living in the Tension of the “Already” and “Not Yet” • Grace has appeared (Titus 2:11), yet full glory is still ahead (v. 13). • Let present obedience be shaped by future hope: renounce ungodliness, live sensibly, look upward. • Daily rehearse the sequence: cross, resurrection, ascension, return. Everyday Habits to Keep the Fire Burning 1. Morning acknowledgement: audibly thank God for saving grace already given. 2. Midday reset: recite a memorized promise about future salvation. 3. Evening examen: note where desires drifted; realign through confession and gratitude. 4. Weekly gathering: participate actively, not passively, in corporate worship. 5. Monthly testimony: share with someone how Christ is becoming more precious. The Certain Hope Ahead • “Now there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness… and not only to me, but to all who long for His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). • Holy longing is never wasted; it is the Spirit’s down payment guaranteeing full redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14). Long for His salvation, delight in His law, and the Savior Himself will enlarge the longing until the Day it is forever satisfied. |
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