Today's Verse - Isaiah 26:9

My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning my spirit longs for you.

—Isaiah 26:9

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

When a young couple in love is apart, they long to be with each other so much they ache. When parents are separated from a child, they miss that child intensely. When a spouse can no longer be with a long-time marriage partner, that person's soul can ache to be reunited with the one they have loved and lost. God created us to be in the most profound fellowship with him and find our source and significance in our relationship with him. This deep relationship was initially called "walking in the garden in the cool of the day," something that sin took away from us and caused us to hide from God (Genesis 3:8). Do you recognize your spirit aching to be with God? Many believers call this ache the God-shaped hole in all of us. It is a powerful metaphor for the yearning and longing for God we have built into our hearts, a longing that even sin and the evil one cannot extinguish. So, how do we fill our God-shaped hole? First, let's recognize our God-hunger can only be satisfied by the LORD himself, not another person, creature, or creation. Then, we should confess our longing and yearning for God as Isaiah did in today's verse. That opens the door for our hearts to satisfy our yearning and longing by spending time in our Abba Father's presence as we communicate our desire, affection, and need to be with our Abba in heaven. Yes, our souls yearn for God during the night; in the morning, our spirits long to be alive with God as we begin each day!

My Prayer...

Holy and righteous Father, I do ache to experience your presence. I know the piece of my soul I sometimes feel is missing can only be found in you. Please, dear Father, be very real and present in my life today. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Ephesians 4:24

...and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

—Ephesians 4:24

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Remember, our verse today comes from Paul's challenge to put off our old way of life (Ephesians 4:22-24). Yesterday, we offered ourselves to God to be made new in our ways of thinking and serving. One of the most significant decisions we face at the beginning of each day is what we will wear. Well, no matter what we choose for our physical clothing, let's make sure we choose to put on the new person God re-made us to be, clothed with Christ as our new self (Romans 13:14; Galatians 3:27), someone committed to live for God "in true righteousness and holiness." Only the "garments of salvation" and the "robe of God's righteousness" (Isaiah 61:10) will fit us eternally!

My Prayer...

Dear Father, may people see the character and likeness of Jesus in me today. LORD Jesus, in your name, I ask you, please, to guide my decisions and help me know how you would have me act in today's situations. Precious and powerful Holy Spirit, please fill me and continue your work in transforming me as I seek to clothe myself with Christ, cherishing the garment of your salvation as Jesus clothes me in the robe of his righteousness. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

Today's Verse - Ephesians 4:23

...be made new in the attitude of your minds...

—Ephesians 4:23

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Remember, our verse today comes from Paul's challenge to put off our old way of life (Ephesians 4:22-24). As we put off the corruption and deceitful desires of our former way of life before Jesus, we now offer ourselves to God to be renewed. But we cannot renew ourselves on our own. We can guard ourselves against corrupting influences, but only God can renew us and enable us to discern his will more fully (Romans 12:1-2). God promises to do the work of renewal in us! Jesus didn't just come to save us from sin, death, and hell; he also came to redeem us for his purposes and his work as his living piece of artistry (Ephesians 2:1-10). God sustains, empowers, and renews us as the Holy Spirit transforms us in this renewal. So, let's offer ourselves first to God and then to others as servants of the LORD Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:5). Then, we confidently ask for the Holy Spirit to make us new inside and out!

Video Commentary...

ToGather Worship Guide | More ToGather Videos

My Prayer...

Father, I come to you asking for your grace to make me new in how I look at things, especially how I view people. Please cleanse my heart and make me new in my mind and my spirit. I want to live each day of this coming year sharing your love, empowered by your Spirit, and aware of your grace. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.