DOES THIS DESCRIBE YOU, MY FRIEND? Do you really long for God? It is not enough for the true Christian to know that God is for him: he wants to realize His presence, to hold sweet fellowship with Him, and to enjoy His love. Being created anew in Christ Jesus, he has an appetite to feed upon and enjoy divine communion; nor can he be satisfied without them. He longs for the gracious presence of his God, and finds it his joy, his strength, and his delight; when denied this favour he is dissatisfied and cast down. Ordinances, without God, are to him unsatisfying; the Scriptures, without God, are a light without warmth; the choicest privileges, without God are like rich provisions presented to someone with a high fever. He panteth for God as a hart panteth after the water brooks. God is his life, the presence of God is his delight, the joy of the Lord is his strength. Without God life is worthless, sickly, and sorrowful. My friend, is this your experience? Are you satisfied with cold knowledge or empty forms without the presence of God? Beware of a religion without Christ and without God.

For Meditation:
Lord of heaven and earth, my trust
Looks to Thee alone - I must;
For Thy love I thirst, I sigh;
To my longing soul draw nigh:
Now Thy glorious face unveil,
Let my faith and pray'r prevail.