Psalm 42
Psalm 42 is one of my favorites and in a nut shell describes our lives:
It paints a picture of a deep longing for God, comparing this immense desire to a deer PANTING for water.
Displays of feelings of utter despair and THIRST for the living God.
We read of intense struggles and deep sorrow.
In the end, themes of FAITH & HOPE and the importance of TRUSTING God despite them. ALLELUIA!
A quick study of verses 1-2:
1-As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul PANTS for you, my God.
2 My soul THIRSTS for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
The Hebrew term translated "pant" or "panting" implies an intense experience. This is not simple thirst, but rather a desperate need for something vital, to know God intimately
I invite you to not only read this but to see Psalm 42 unrolling LIVE before your eyes:
"The deer feels himself almost entirely spent; he is nearly hunted down; the dogs(wolves) are in full pursuit; he is parched with thirst; and in a burning heat, pants after the water, and when he comes to the river, plunges in as his last refuge". (Ref: Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible)
Let me ask you...
If you placed your name in lieu of 'deer', would it, in some way, describe you & your situation before you CAME to the Lord? For me it's a big YES, I plunged He is my refuge!!
AND then, life continues to happen... are you struggling in an area? Is your soul panting for more of God? Are you depleted and thirst for more of the Living Water?
Just as much we need 'tap' water every day to survive so our soul needs the 'Living water'... The answer is so simple ''COME again and again and AGAIN & DRINK FREELY!"
The Spirit and the bride say, “COME!” Let the one who hears say, “COME!” And let the one who is thirsty COME, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.
P.s. ''As the deer'' is one of my very favorite songs since I accepted Jesus in 1998 (composed by evangelist Martin Nystrom in 1984.)
