13th-19th July 2026
Every one of us carries longings. Some long for healing. Some long for deeper relationships. Some long for clarity, security or peace. Others carry dreams that remain unfulfilled or prayers that seem unanswered.
Longing itself is not wrong. God created us with desires, hopes and dreams. Yet there is a danger that even good things can become ultimate things. We can begin to believe that our happiness, purpose or identity depends upon receiving what we long for most.
This week invites us to consider a different question. What if our deepest need is not found in having our desires fulfilled, but in discovering that our identity is already secure in Christ?
Our circumstances may change. Our relationships may change. The seasons of life may come and go. Yet who we are in Christ remains constant.
As you journey through this week, bring your hopes, disappointments and longings honestly before God. Allow him to remind you that your worth is not determined by your achievements, your relationships or your circumstances.
You are loved. You are known. You belong to him.
Pause and Reflect
As you begin this week, take a few moments to consider:
What am I longing for most at this stage of my life?
Have I allowed a good desire to become an ultimate desire?
Where do I tend to find my identity and sense of worth?
What would it look like to rest more fully in who I am in Christ?
Bring these questions honestly before God.
Written by David Mairs
MONDAY
Known and Loved
You have searched me, Lord, and you know me… If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
Psalm 139:1, 9-16 (NIV)
Before we achieve anything, accomplish anything or prove anything, we are already fully known and deeply loved by God – what an incredible truth!
Psalm 139 reminds us that there is nowhere we can go and nothing we can do that places us beyond his care. He knows our thoughts, our fears, our hopes and our struggles.
In a world that often measures value by success, appearance or achievement, it is easy to tie our identity to things that constantly change. Yet our true identity begins with this simple truth: we belong to God.
We do not need to earn his love or prove our worth. We are already known completely and loved fully. Today, allow that truth to shape the way you see yourself.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that you know me completely and love me unconditionally. Thank you that I do not need to hide my weaknesses or pretend to be someone I am not. Help me to find my identity in you rather than in the opinions of others or the expectations I place upon myself. When I feel insecure or uncertain, remind me that I am known, loved and held securely in your care. Teach me to rest in your love today. Amen.
TUESDAY
When Longing Feels Heavy
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? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God. My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?” My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Saviour and my God.
Psalm 42:1–11 (NIV)
There are seasons when our longings feel particularly intense. We long for healing. We long for answers. We long for relationships to be restored. We long for circumstances to change. The psalmist understands this tension. He speaks honestly about disappointment, sadness and unanswered questions, yet he continues to direct his heart towards God.
Longing is part of being human.
The challenge is not whether we have longings, but where those longings lead us. Our deepest desires are intended to draw us closer to the One who alone can satisfy our souls.
When longings feel heavy, we can bring them honestly before God, trusting that he understands and cares.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, you know the longings I carry within my heart. You know the prayers I continue to pray and the hopes I continue to hold. Help me bring these desires honestly before you. Guard me from allowing good things to become ultimate things.
When disappointment comes, help me trust your wisdom. When waiting feels difficult, remind me that you are near. Teach me to find my deepest satisfaction in you. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
Comparison Steals Joy
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”
Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
John 21:15–22 (NIV)
Few things rob us of contentment more quickly than comparison. We compare our lives with others. Their relationships. Their opportunities. Their achievements. Their circumstances.
Peter fell into the same trap. After hearing Jesus' plans for his future, Peter immediately asked about someone else's. Jesus gently redirected him: "What is that to you? You must follow me."
Comparison shifts our attention away from God's work in our own lives and towards things we cannot control. God's plans for each of us are unique. His timing is different. His calling is personal. When we focus on what others have, we often miss the blessings God has placed right in front of us.
Today, resist the temptation to compare. Instead, focus on faithfully following Jesus where you are.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I compare my life with others. Forgive me for measuring my worth by what I have or have not achieved. Help me to trust your plans and your timing for my life. Teach me to celebrate the blessings you have given me and to walk faithfully in the path you have prepared for me. Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus and help me follow him wholeheartedly. Amen.
THURSDAY
Seeking First the Kingdom
So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:31–33 (NIV)
Jesus invites us to place him at the centre of our lives. That does not mean our hopes and desires are unimportant. It simply means they are not meant to carry the weight of our identity.
When we seek God's kingdom first, everything else finds its proper place. Good desires remain good desires, but they no longer define us or control us. There is great freedom in recognising that our lives are not on hold while we wait for circumstances to change.
We can live fully, serve faithfully and experience joy in the present because our identity is rooted in Christ. Today, ask yourself: what am I seeking first?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to seek your kingdom above everything else. Show me where I have placed too much weight upon things that cannot ultimately satisfy. Teach me to trust that you know what I need and that your plans for me are good. May my identity be rooted in who I am in Christ rather than in my circumstances. Help me live faithfully and joyfully today. Amen.
FRIDAY
Contentment in Every Season
I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:10–13 (NIV)
Contentment does not come naturally. We often believe we will finally be content when circumstances improve or when a particular longing is fulfilled.
Yet Paul discovered that contentment is not found in changing circumstances but in an unchanging Saviour. He learned to be content in seasons of abundance and in seasons of need.
Contentment is not the absence of desire. It is learning to trust that Christ is enough, whatever season we find ourselves in. This is not something we achieve overnight. It is something we learn over time as we walk with him.
Today, ask God to help you discover the deep contentment that comes from resting in his sufficiency.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that my hope is found in you. Teach me to be content in every season of life. Guard me from believing that happiness lies just beyond my current circumstances. Help me recognise your goodness in the present moment and trust that you are enough. May I learn to rest in your provision, your presence and your promises. Amen.
SATURDAY
You Belong
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. Psalm 68:5–6 (NIV)
God never intended us to walk through life alone. Psalm 68 reminds us that he sets the lonely in families. The church is more than an organisation or a gathering on Sundays. It is a spiritual family where we are known, loved and supported.
There are seasons when loneliness can feel overwhelming, even when surrounded by people. Yet God invites us into community and reminds us that we belong. We need one another. We need encouragement, prayer and friendship. Today, consider how you might take a step towards deeper connection with others.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that you welcome me into your family. Thank you for the gift of Christian community and for the people you have placed around me within my church family at Glenabbey.
Help me not to isolate myself when life feels difficult. Give me courage to reach out, to ask for help and to offer encouragement to others. May I know the joy of belonging and help others experience it too. Amen.
SUNDAY
The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ, yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death… Philippians 3:7–10 (NIV)
Paul had achieved more than most people could imagine, yet he came to see that nothing compared with knowing Christ. His identity was no longer rooted in success, status or achievement. It was rooted in relationship.
Many of the things we long for are good gifts, but they were never designed to carry the weight of our deepest hopes. Only Christ can do that.
As we come to the end of this week, we are reminded that our greatest treasure is not found in having everything we want, but in knowing the One who holds everything together. Whatever season you are walking through today, your identity remains secure. You are loved. You are known. You belong to him.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that knowing you is the greatest treasure of all. Help me to find my identity and security in you rather than in circumstances that can change so quickly. Thank you that I am fully known and deeply loved. May I learn to be more aware of your presence with me and may my hope be anchored in your promises. Teach me to walk confidently in the knowledge that I belong to you. Amen.