Our youngest son was asleep upstairs, and his dog, Missy, was confined to the kitchen. Our daughter, who was visiting, thought it would be fun to play with Missy, so she removed the gate on the kitchen and let her out. She did not get to play with Missy because that dog took off like a rocket with a guidance system. Missy made a mad dash down the hall and up the stairs, somehow managed to get our son's door opened, and jumped into his bed. We didn't even know that she knew where he was. Somebody said, "Boy, she's a smart dog." Well, she is. She knows exactly where her master is. She goes straight there.
God's Word says in Psalm 42:1-2, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." David then asks what is probably one of the best questions in the Bible: "When can I go and meet with God?" If you are a follower of Christ, you have an instinct to say, "I want to go where my Master is and be with Him. As soon as I get a chance, I want to be in His presence." Perhaps, though, this might be what is missing in your relationship with the Lord.
We run to serve Him, to give to Him, to believe in Him, and to obey Him, but that's not what David is talking about. David is speaking of a deep passion to be together with Him. It is motivated by only one thing - a deep love for the Lord. Maybe the most important question Jesus ever asked was, "Do you love Me?" The church at Ephesus had it all. They were working hard and they had the right beliefs, but Jesus said, "I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love" (Revelation 2:4).
We are some of the busiest Christians in history. Our church bulletins show we are more Martha running around than Mary sitting at Jesus' feet. Jesus is looking for a heart that loves to be with Him, that pursues Him, and that sets aside time to enjoy His presence. What might be missing from our active but often unsatisfying faith is simply loving Jesus. As you review each 24 hours, look at all He did for you and make your thank you list. Mentally, visit the cross each day and again see what He has done to pay for your sins.
Two people can fall in love when they have an 18-hour trip on an airplane on a missions trip together because they have focused time together. You will never have that kind of love with Jesus unless you reserve time for the two of you. The old saints used to call this a heart for God, and that is what a relationship with Him is all about.
A little dog can live for the moment she can be with her master, run to him whenever there is the smallest opportunity, and find her security and happiness in the time she can be with him. Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son, is your master. Devotedly pursue Him.