From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. (I Samuel 7:2 ESV)
Yearning
When I have a can of Vernor’s Ginger Ale, I want more. When I have a handful of popcorn, I want more. When I watch an advertisement for Doctor Who, I want to watch a whole show. When I take a nap, I want a night’s rest.
That is what the Israelites experienced. The Ark of the Covenant had been returned by the Philistines. But not all the way home. And not yet to it’s true home, the temple, as yet unbuilt.
But the joy of the presence so near whetted their appetite for more.
And that is a good appetite to have whetted!
Christians today experience the same thing. Our taste of God’s presence in the Lord’s Supper increases our yearning for Christ’s full presence. Our joyful worship of the One True Living God increases our yearning for eternal worship of Him. Our Holy Spirit aided prayers increase our yearning for direct obvious full orbed communication with our God.
The taste of the little, gives us an appetite for the complete.
We are peculiar, we yearn for what we WILL have.