Topic: Psalm 42:1 [John Hagee Devotional 22 January 2020]

As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God

Our cravings have the power to kill or cure us.

Our cravings can deceive us into believing that we must have the very thing that damages and destroys. When the drug addict craves the fix, when the married person craves someone other than their spouse, when the CEO craves the promotion over personal ethics – those things end in destruction and eventual death.

When our souls begin to long intensely for God, though, He becomes our cure. The payment for our sin is death, but Jesus took our place. His cure bought our pardon and everlasting life.

The lashes across the back of Jesus paid for our healing. He was wounded so we could be made whole. He was hurt so we could be healed. We are cured through His crucifixion.

When we crave Him, we find the confidence our souls lack. He does not give us a spirit of fear, but one of love and power and a sound mind. We can calmly rest in Him.

When we pursue Him with passionate zeal, the presence of God empowers us to walk in a manner that is pleasing to Him. Our minds are conformed to His truth, and we are transformed to act more and more like Jesus. This is the craving that cures!

Blessing:

May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and give you His peace. May your soul pant after God like the deer that pants for water. May you experience the Cure that leads to life and healing and wholeness.

Today’s Bible Reading:

Old Testament

Genesis 44:1-45:28

New Testament

Matthew 14:14-36

Psalms & Proverbs

Psalm 18:35-50

Proverbs 4:11-13