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HOW MUCH DO WE DESIRE OF GOD

Dear COA Family,

There is a most fascinating narrative I find in the Gospel of Luke: “As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them” (Luke 24:28-29).

Many significant events had taken place in the past few days, the most unbelievable of which was the crucifixion and death of Jesus, whom many deemed as a prophet, by the Roman authorities.

And then there were reports of the body of Jesus missing from the tomb where he was laid, circulated by the disciples of Christ.

Two followers of Jesus were then highlighted discussing these happenings among themselves on their way to Emmaus. This was when the Lord himself appeared to them personally to explain how the Scriptures had prophesied these events beforehand.

What this passage implies is that if the two disciples had not asked Jesus to stay, Jesus would not have stayed. He would have gone on to another place!

But because they begged him to stay with them, he did so. Then the most wonderful thing happened – Jesus revealed himself to them as the Lord in the breaking of bread with them. And their hearts were filled with joy and their faith was revived.

Sometimes in our lives, the Lord grants us the space and opportunity to seek his presence.

He does not force his way in our consciousness but waits for us to desire and intentionally ask him to reveal himself to us. We are granted the initiative to press in to deepen our relationship with him… and not depend on God’s initiative all the time. This represents growth or maturity in our relationship with him.

Are we willing this week to seek the Lord’s presence in our lives?

The Psalmist begins in Ps 42:1 with the cry, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.”

The men and women who have experienced the Lord’s presence in the past did so because they sought after the Lord earnestly. May we walk in their example to seek the one thing that is above all others in our lives, which is to commune with the Lord at all times!

Have a blessed week ahead.

Revd Ian