As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
This psalmist paints a vivid picture of longing for the Presence fo God. They further their point by using an analogy to describe their eagerness to meet with God.
Understanding
Picture this with me: you’ve just completed a pretty intense game of basketball with a friend. It was close but you won. As your adrenaline begins to fade to come to the startling realization that you are thirsty, so like any other person you go to your fridge to see what you have. Much to your dismay their is nothing that will satisfy the thirst that you have. There’s no water, no gatorade, not even a soda. You’d probably go through great lengths to get your thirst quenched, right? Because nothing for the present time, and in your fridge, can satisfy.
I think this is the exact state that we find ourselves spiritually right now. However, the only difference is we have turned to other things to quench our thirst. Things that only distract and momentarily take away the dry sensation on your tongue, but don’t truly satisfy. I think the reason that these verses really struck me was because my soul yearns for a drink of Living Water. I’ll be honest, I’ve settled during this time too because I feel “too tired” to pursue what my soul desires. I want these verses to be my cry every waking moment of every single day for me. I want to constantly desire communion with the Creator, but it starts with an inward decision not to settle but to actively chase the one that will satisfy.
Life Application
Recently, I have been fasting something once every week, and I want to challenge you all to do the same. I guarantee that your soul will get a little hydration if it’s feeling dehydrated like mine. And please, make these verses the cry of your heart too.
“As the deer pants for the water so my soul longs after You
You alone are my heart’s desire, and I long to worship You”
-Allison Khan
