As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
Psalm 42:1-2
I think that these verses are well known to many, thanks in part to the song "As the Deer" which I believe is sung in churches around the English-speaking world. The imagery in these verses is so beautiful and I can just picture exactly what they are describing, the hot and thirsty animal searching for a stream, a spiritually thirsty soul seeking refreshment from God.
But what does it mean for one's soul to thirst and pant for God? I think it means, in part, to seek after God and his ways and one of the ways to thirst for God and seek him is to eagerly turn to his word and study it. Whether it be personal Bible study, being part of a Bible study group or hearing God's word taught in church (and I would say that a combination of all of the above are helpful for the Christian), studying God's word is so important for learning more about him and how to serve him. Another way of thirsting for God and wanting to meet with him is to spend time in prayer with him, either alone or with other believers.
I have to admit, in the midst of my enjoyment for these verses and the song they inspired, that I know that I do not thirst for God or eagerly seek to meet with him any where nearly as strongly as depicted in these verses. I often struggle with my personal quiet times even though I know that they are of great benefit to me. So does your soul pant and thirst for God? Are you meeting with God (either personally or corporately) as often as you should? Maybe you could spend some time this week working out how you could improve in this area of your spiritual walk or how you could encourage someone you know who is struggling with it.
10:00 AM |
Category:
CAST,
CAST Team,
friday finds
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Comments (13)
A wonderful verse and post today. It's a great reminder to us all how we should actively seek God. Thank you for the post and all the wonderful treasures you found that go along with it. ^_^
Hugs,
Elfie
This is one of my favorite verses and it is well represented here!
Beautiful items and thoughts, Deb.
♥♥♥
Sue
♥ A lovely post :) Thank you for including my pocket mirror ♥
Thanks Deb for the thoughtful post and great reminder to always seek Him, every minute of the day!
Thank you for including my little fawn :)
This song is also sang in Spanish.
We do translate most of the English songs. We love to sing.
I did grow up singing that song, and still sing it to my two little ones.
Oh Noemi, how amazing that you sing it in Spanish too! ♥
This is one of my favorite verses from one of my favorite Psalms. I love that the Psalm begins with the psalmist deep desire for God and ends wirh his introspection of "Why are you down cast, O my soul?" When we are striving to stay close to God, we really do not need to allow the issues of life get us down. I have often had this verse engraved on my items. Thanks for including my pen in your list.
Wonderful message! I always love visual references that remind me of God's word! Thank you for the thoughtful post! Thank you for including my vintage deer planter!
Loved it so much!!!! thank you for sharing!
Amy*
GBMB
I too need to spend more quiet time with god. I thirst for him, and yet don't seek him enough as I should. Lovely message! I hadn't heard those verses before.
I loved your thoughts on hungering for the Lord. Do any of us truly hunger enough? Probably not. A couple of years ago, we had a very difficult financial situation that left me sitting at the Lord's feet without any energy to continue on my own. Only then, did I really let go of my own efforts and let the Lord really have His way entirely. It has been like being born again all over again. He has truly set me free to believe that He really is my provider and wants to to just that without my interference! How He loves us. How He loves us so. Be blessed. Thanks for your post and inclusion of my little deer card. love, Barbara Gerber at InFlower.
good post!