THIRSTING FOR GOD

“As the deer
longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.
I thirst for God, the living God.”
Psalm 42:1-2 NLT
~~~~~~

I grew up on a farm in South Dakota and often worked out in the fields under a scorching summer sun. I can remember the hot dry winds of the “dirty thirties,” and how thirsty a person would get when the water jug was empty long before quitting time.

David spent a lot of time out in the open fields as a boy taking care of his father’s sheep and he knew what it meant to be thirsty. As an adult, he spent a lot of time running from his enemies, hiding in hot rocky barren places. He was always searching for water. Finding water, I can imagine him seeing a thirsty deer waiting near by. As he observed the deer, he may have thought, “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God.”

God has made us to thirst after him. Sometimes God sovereignly moves in our life, causing us to hunger and thirst for a closer walk with him. Other times we are drawn to know him better as he allows us to go through trying times which cause us to become keenly aware of how much we need him. Still other times the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and coldness of heart, and if we respond with true repentance, we realize a fresh thirst for God. But most commonly our hunger and thirst for more of God flows from an open hearted study of his word, and a prayer life rich with gratitude and praise.

Thirst for You
CeCe Winans

We thirst for You
We search for You
In a dry and barren land
W're longing for Your hand
To guide us to
A place where You
Can cleanse us with Your rain...
Baptize us once again
We thirst for You

Oh Lord we are waiting
Let Your river flow
Come flood our hearts again
Quench our thirsty souls

We thirst for You

Turn up your sound and listen to > AS THE DEER