Daily Devotional for Friday, August 23

David’s Request and Song

“Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies,” Psalm 69:18.

“My treat, get whatever you want.” Have you ever gone to a restaurant with someone and he tells you this? It is difficult to know what to do. If you order what you really want—the most expensive item on the menu— you risk looking like you are greedy and inconsiderate. If you choose the cheapest item, then you risk offending the generosity of this kind person. What you probably do is what I normally do. I find something I like that is in the middle price range. No one is offended and I get a good, free meal.

What if God said, “My treat, get whatever you want.” What would you choose? Would you choose selfishly and get something like riches, fame or health? Would you be generous and ask for world peace or food for everybody? Perhaps this question is a little too open-ended, so let me rephrase it. What are you most looking forward to seeing or experiencing in Heaven? The streets of gold will be nice. So will the mansions also be amazing to behold. And certainly we will all enjoy seeing our relatives and friends that have passed on. Heaven, though, could be Heaven without the streets and pearls and amazing things. It could not be Heaven without Jesus. Heaven is Heaven because Jesus is there.

David came close to seeing this in his request in Psalm 69:18. He asked God to draw near to his soul. He wanted God just a little closer. He needed to feel His closeness in his soul. He did ask for deliverance and redemption from his enemies, but he did not want that without God’s presence. Above all else, he needed and wanted God.

REFLECTION
Think of how good having Jesus in the future will be, and that will make having Jesus in the present even better. And as we savor Jesus in the present, we will only long for our future with Him even more.

Jason Rutherford