December 10
Damian Long, Dir. of Young Adults
Come everyone who thirsts, come to the waters (Is 55:1). O You who hear prayer, to You shall all flesh come (Ps 65:2). We come to the Source of healing waters, the longing of our souls, our lives a prayer. We as all flesh only come, because You have come in all flesh. You came near in the incarnation. You will come near in your return. And You are near now in Your intimate indwelling. Blessed is the one You choose and bring near, to dwell in Your courts (Ps 65:4). So, we do seek You as we are found in You, calling upon you as You are near (Is. 55:6) …We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house (Ps 65:5). You’re near because You’re here, welcoming us into Your house, your courts, your temple, Yourself, Your presence.
And though You are near, I am somehow sometimes, somewhere unaware, untrue, unrighteous and undone …my iniquities prevail against me (Ps 65:3). Let my wickedness forsake its way, and my unrighteousness escape my thoughts (Is 55:7). Let the nearness of your compassionate abundant pardon (Is 55:7) …the atonement of my transgressions (Ps 65:3) … bring my thoughts into Your thoughts, my ways into Your ways (Is 55:8-9). Worship. Nearness. Forgiveness. Presence.
Your river — healing, soothing, sustaining – is plentiful (Ps 65:9). You water the earth (Is 55:10) … and the soil of my heart … settling its ridges, softening it with showers, and blessing its growth (Ps 65:10) … rooting out the thorns and the briers (Is 55:13) … Your word taking root, brought forth and sprouting, returning not empty, but accomplishing that which You’ve purposed (Is 55:10). …girded in joy (Ps 65:12), lead forth in peace (Is 55:12) and crowned in bountiful worship (Ps 65:11). Worship, Nearness. Hope. Joy.