Longing for God

Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Today’s Reading: Colossians 1:15-20

I revisit (see devotion from December 7th) that 1600-year-old quote from Saint Augustine:

Because You have made us for Yourself,

and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee.

Followers of Jesus have peace in what He has already done and an assured expectation of what He will yet do. Like all created things, I groan while I wait. It’s a contented groan, though. Sometimes my longing for God is so deep it aches. But as I sit in this longing, I am certain of its full satisfaction someday, because of Jesus.

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved” (Romans 8:22-24 NIV)

So this is why we celebrate that baby born in Bethlehem, Yeshua, or as we call Him… Jesus.

Jesus, the atonement for sin, has given us hope.

Jesus, the exact imprint of God’s nature, fully revealed Truth. 

Jesus, the conquering King, will return to execute perfect justice.

Jesus, the one who took our punishment, offers us mercy.

Jesus, the Alpha and the Omega, will bring resolution to this chaotic world.

Jesus, the Creator, is the only one we can trust to be the authority of our lives.

Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, is Wisdom.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is the only way to peace with God and with others.

Jesus, the source of life, offers abundant and everlasting life in Him.

Jesus, the sovereign and good Lord, provides eternal safety and true security.

Jesus, the Messiah, came to bring healing and wholeness.

Jesus, the Liberator of captives, has given His people true freedom from sin.

Jesus, the suffering Servant, can understand what we go through.

Jesus, the sufficient sacrifice for salvation, gives us rest.

Jesus, the satisfaction of our hearts, is real Joy, present now and eternally.

Jesus, the means by which God made us in His image, gives us identity.

Jesus, the one calling us to His purpose, gives our lives meaning.

Jesus, the one we live to glorify, called us to good, Kingdom work.

Jesus, the one who changes hearts, makes authenticity possible.

Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, will empower our growth.

Jesus, the friend who sticks closer than a brother, is our deepest connection.

Jesus, the one who died in our place, is Love, unfathomably wide and deep.

Jesus, the Son of God, is one with the Father and worthy of my worship!

“My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Psalm 84:2 NIV)

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm 42:1-2 NIV)

 "For he satisfies the longing soul, 

and the hungry soul he fills with good things." 

(Psalm 107:9 NIV)