DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2021-07-21
WRITTEN AT: Colorado City, TX

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 40:16
TRANSLATION: The Voice (VOICE)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹⁶ … may all who look for You
    discover true joy and happiness in You;
May those who cherish how You save them
    always say, “O Eternal One, You are great and are first in our hearts.”

APPLICATION: I will often become concerned when I see a relative or friend sitting with their hand under their chin deep in thought about something, because I’m afraid that they are letting the things of this world get to them. However, there are times that we all stop to ponder what we heard God say to us through the Holy Spirit. For the one who has not surrendered to the lordship of Jesus Christ, they may be confused, for they may not know what is going on. David recognized that in these circumstances, they are simply searching for the God of this universe. They have finally arrived at a state where they are convinced that there is a God who knows exactly what this world needs; the same God who is capable of answering our prayers; the One who loves His creation, in spite of their stubbornness and peculiar ways; and the One who has promised that for those who belong to Him, He has prepared the most magnificent home in heaven where they will spend eternity with He and the Father! I believe that David wished for a minute that he could be available to take the hand of each one of these who is searching for the Savior of the world, although realizing how impossible that would be, so instead he prayed to the One who could be there for everyone who is ready to surrender to Jesus. Wouldn’t this be an awesome prayer for us each day: ‘Oh Lord, for all my friends seeking You today, may they discover true joy and happiness in the only One who could fill them with ultimate peace’. In the remaining part of this very neat verse, David also asks the Father to please touch the hearts of His children who know Jesus, and prompt them to always recognize His greatness and to make God first in their hearts. Think about that friends. When we make God first in our hearts, then we say and do everything that will please Him. Our goals in life become centered around our Savior – Jesus Christ. So much so, that others will see and believe.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: For those who know Jesus, join me in celebrating how great You are, and let us always boast about the One who is first in our hearts!

PRAYER: Thank You Heavenly Father for working in the lives of Your children each and every day. May we all surrender to Your perfect will for us and to the work of the Holy Spirit who is actively working in us. For those who are seeking to know You intimately, please Lord, help them discover true joy and happiness in the only One who can love us perfectly and direct us to eternity in heaven with You. For those who have surrendered to Your lordship, may we always keep You first in our hearts, and liberally share that love that only You can give. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!