DESIRES OR YEARNINGS

For Wordsmith Wednesday, I was drawn to the connotation evoked by similar words.
Desires & yearnings---nouns with similar definitions. Both words can be used as nouns in function but delete the plural and both easily become verbs in their usage.

How does scripture use these terms? As synonyms?

Still musing or mulling it over...going deeper than I ever imagined..........Check out the references listed in the labels.

At this point, I'm seeing yearning, at least in the biblical sense, as going hand in hand with seeking with ones' heart and so far have found it used more often in the Old Testament of the Bible (8) than the New Testament.   (1) Yearning has a depth connotation to me. Deep as stated in Genesis 43:30---Joseph's yearning from his bowels with weeping for his brother and he found sanctuary in his chamber as he wept.

Desire - A heart's desire.
Yearn - A desire that is taken to the depths of one's soul.

Seek the Lord and His strength and yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually. (1 Chronicles 16:11)

T.R.U.T.H.

These days there are many definitions for the word truth. People tend to hide truth or bend truth to suit their own needs. (Think more opinion than truth or possibly void of real truth) Most Urban Dictionary definitions of truth were profane, including lewd words for bodily functions or vodka injections, except for one contributor, Matt-the-Jesus-Follower. Truth stares us in the face but we look away, terrified to make eye contact with something that judges our actions and lives.

Vines' Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words offered the Greek, αλήθεια, using truth objectively as a noun. A noun which signifies the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of matter. What you see on the outside is a true reflection of it's basis.

The truth of God is the reality of who He is---whose existence is a verity.

So.....as I prepare to teach truth, I need to simplify and just go back to Him, the One who is Truth, to supply the understanding I need. (John 14:6)
As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come on us; yet we have not sought the favor of the Lord our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to Your truth. (Daniel 9:13)

T.R.U.T.H. My simple definition,
a pithy acronym that suits me.

T eaches

R ighteous
U nderstanding
T hrough

H im