The psalmist kept things simple:  “There is none upon earth that I desire besides You” (Ps. 73:25). All progress in the spiritual life is marked by our movement towards that conclusion, the conviction that only one thing is necessary: God Himself.

All progress in the spiritual life is progress towards knowing God and loving Him—moving towards the point at which we say with Israel’s poet: “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (v.26).

That perspective changes the way we look at everything. Suffering and adversity become the means by which we’re made hungry and thirsty for God. Disappointments become the tools that wean us away from earthly occupations and move us towards a preoccupation with God alone. Even sin, when repented of, becomes a mechanism to push us closer to Him so that we can experience His love and forgiveness. All things become useful when viewed as the means to the highest good—drawing near to God.

Like Paul, we may say, “I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Phil. 3:12). How do we press on? With a humble and grateful response to His love. But it all begins with God. He seeks us so that we may seek Him alone.

God loves us too much to let us stay as we are.

Author

David H. Roper

Topics

Our Daily Bread