It Starts Small

² I will arise now and go about the city,
through the streets and the plazas.
I will seek the one I love.
I sought him, but did not find him.

Songs 3:2

The moment of longing becomes unbearable for the bride; she cannot anchor herself in the confines of her bed any longer. Desire ignites a fire within her, compelling her to rise. Though the night wraps around her like a shroud and answers dance just out of reach, she is driven to embark on her quest. Love, in its purest form, refuses to accept distance; it relentlessly seeks connection. “I will rise now” — these words signal a powerful transformation from passive ache to fervent pursuit. This kind of spiritual journey often emerges from barren seasons, where we may not feel God’s presence, yet a longing deeper than emotion ignites a relentless drive to seek Him still. This is the essence of profound faith: choosing to pursue God not merely in moments of joy but fiercely even amidst the drought.

⁹ I long for you in the night;
yes, my spirit within me diligently seeks you,
for when your judgments are in the land,
the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Isaiah 26:9

Isaiah passionately echoes this profound theme. Our souls fervently seek Him in the stillness of the night. This intense longing is not fueled by fear or guilt, but by an insatiable spiritual hunger. Even when God feels silent, the spirit within us roars with determination, refusing to cease its quest. Theologically, this moment speaks powerfully to the essence of worship. The very act of rising to search—despite the absence of a guaranteed outcome—is a sacred and beautiful endeavor. It is undeniable that love pulses with life, even when the fervor of feelings has dimmed.

Psychologically, the pursuit is a profound act of healing. In the journey of trauma recovery, the sheer act of agency—deciding to move, to seek, or to voice one’s truth—rekindles the flicker of hope. The bride’s courageous choice to rise, even as the streets remain shrouded in darkness and the outcome lingers in uncertainty, rejuvenates her spirit with a renewed sense of purpose and connection. Neuroscience affirms that even the slightest action taken during emotionally desolate periods ignites the motivation circuits in our brains. The very act of seeking—rising up, delving into God’s Word, praying through the stillness—transforms despair into a radiant hope.

Yet, even in her courageous quest, she does not find Him. While this may seem disheartening, it is the truth we face. There are moments when we pour our hearts into prayer, fasting, reading, and worship, yet God still feels elusive. Why does this happen? Not out of cruelty, but rather as a divine act of love, as He seeks to cultivate within us a love that transcends mere emotions. This is the profound mystery of love in silence: God sometimes conceals the awareness of His presence to strengthen our reliance on the enduring truth of His presence.

If you have risen in the depths of your soul’s night and still feel an emptiness, do not give up! Your every step holds significance. Your quest is far from futile. You are not walking those streets alone. Love Himself witnesses your ascent and reveres your relentless search for meaning.

Journal Prompt:

• What does it man to seek God even when you do not feel Him?
• How has your pursuit changed your faith?

Practical Steps and Application:

1. Write “I will rise now and seek You” on a card or note and place it where you will see it.
2. Take a walk or spnd time in prayerful pursuit.
3. Read Isaiah 26:9 before you go to bed and when you rise.

Deeper Introspection:

Read Isaiah 26.

Isaiah 26:9, a verse embedded within a song of praise, expresses a deep yearning for God, particularly during a time of affliction, and connects that yearning to a broader purpose.

⁹ I long for you in the night;
yes, my spirit within me diligently seeks you,
for when your judgments are in the land,
the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Isaiah 26:9

Journaling prompts on seeking God in the darkness

• The urgency of seeking. The verse mentions both “the night” and “the morning” as times when the speaker seeks the Lord. What does it look like for you to seek God continuously, in both your darkest moments (the “night”) and at the start of each new day (the “morning”)?
  • Related scripture: Psalm 63:1, where David thirsts for God in a “dry and weary land”.
• The motivation behind the yearning. The psalmist is not just waiting for the judgments to end but is longing for God himself. Reflect on your own prayers. Are you seeking God for what he can do for you, or are you seeking to know and draw closer to him?
  • Related scripture: Psalm 27:4, where the psalmist desires to “gaze on the beauty of the Lord”.
• The path of God’s judgments. The verse says the faithful wait for God “in the path of [his] judgments” (v. 8, NASB). Consider a time of suffering or difficulty you have recently experienced. How did this “path of judgment” lead you to seek God more earnestly than you did during times of ease?
  • Related scripture: Lamentations 3:25, which states that “The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him”.

Journaling prompts on learning righteousness through judgment

• Understanding God’s righteousness. The judgment referred to in this verse is not merely punitive but serves a redemptive and educational purpose: to teach righteousness. How have you seen God use difficult situations—in your own life or in the world—to correct people and lead them to a better understanding of what is right?
  • Related scripture: Hebrews 12:10–11, which says that God disciplines us for our good, so that we may “share his holiness”.
• The incorrigible heart. The very next verse (Isaiah 26:10) contrasts the faithful with the wicked, who do not learn righteousness even when shown grace. How does this distinction challenge you to examine your own heart? In what areas are you stubbornly resisting God’s correction?
  • Related scripture: Romans 2:4, which warns against a “hard and impenitent heart”.
• Seeking justice and righteousness. The prophecy points to a future when all will learn righteousness, culminating in God’s kingdom. Consider the injustices you see in the world today. How can you pray and act in a way that reflects your own longing for the day when God’s justice and righteousness will prevail on earth?
  • Related scripture: Matthew 6:33, which instructs us to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness”.

Journaling prompts on hope and assurance

• A contrast of times. The “night” symbolizes a time of affliction, but the yearning for God extends to the “morning,” symbolizing hope and a new day. Write about a challenging period in your life. How did your persistent seeking of God during that time lead to the “morning” of hope and renewal?
  • Related scripture: Lamentations 3:22–23, which speaks of God’s mercies being “new every morning”.
• Finding security in God. In the larger context of Isaiah 26, the song expresses confidence that the faithful are secure in God’s city (v. 1) even as judgment unfolds. What promises from God give you a sense of peace and security during difficult times?
  • Related scripture: Isaiah 26:3, which promises “perfect peace” to those whose minds are steadfast on the Lord.
• The ultimate fulfillment. Isaiah’s vision points to a future day of complete justice and righteousness. How does the eventual triumph of God’s justice give you hope and confidence, even when you see sin and injustice seemingly prospering in the world today?
  • Related scripture: Revelation 11:13 and 15:4, which describe all people giving glory to God at the sight of his righteous judgments.

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