Surrendering Our Longings - pgs 82-86
Realize
1. What are some of your heart's desires that have not yet been fulfilled (e.g., to get married, to improve your marriage, to have children, to regain health, etc.)?
2. Read Deuteronomy 8:3. Why did God allow His people to go hungry (i.e., to have unfulfilled longings) in the desert?
3. What are some other reasons God might not allow all of His children's longings to be fulfilled here and now?
Reflect
4. As you think about the legitimate longings you recorded in question 1 above, have you fallen into the trap of demanding that God fulfill your desires or resenting that He has not chosen to do so? Have you made any sinful choices as a result of trying to meet those longings in illegitimate ways?
5. From Ecclesiastes 3:11, what does it mean that God has placed eternity in your heart?
6. Read Philippians 3:20-4:1. What does it mean that your citizenship is in heaven? What implications do this passage and the verse from Ecclesiastes have as you face what may be legitimate longings that God has not chosen to fulfill?
7. According to Psalm 16:11, where is the only place that all our longings can be completely met?
Respond
8. Elisabeth Elliot reminds us that unfulfilled longings proved "material for sacrifice." What longings can you offer up as a sacrifice to the Lord?
Prayer of the Day
Lord, I have many desires deep within me. I understand that my longings are not necessarily bad, but in my impatience, Lord, help me not to attempt to meet those longings in wrong ways. Help me to be patient, knowing that You know my longings and that You have my best in mind. Thank You that the day is coming when the deepest thirst and longings of my soul will be fully satisfied in Your presence. Amen.
1 comment:
I've never thought about it before but the author brings out a really good point. If all of our longings could be fulfilled here on Earth, then there would be no need for a heaven. We would be content to stay here on Earth. When we do not find satisfaction in the things of the world, we have to learn that the only satisfaction comes from God. He is the only One who can fill the empty void that we have.
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