Thirsting for God

Introduction

I was recently reminded of a time many years ago when my husband and I were walking in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Not being used to Canada’s mild summers, we didn’t realise how dry the air was and, because it was only a short walk, we hadn’t taken any water with us. However after about ten minutes I became incredibly thirsty.
As we walked on, my longing for water increased. I don’t think I have ever known such an intense thirst before or since. I felt completely dry. I simply couldn’t wait to get back to the shop where I bought a bottle of water and drank it down in a few long gulps. Such refreshment!

Psalm 42 marks the beginning of Book 2 of the five books that make up the Psalms. Book 2 contains psalms that are intended to help us sing when times are tough – times when we wonder where God is, and what he is doing!

Read Psalm 42:1-4

Reflect

• Describe the mood of the psalmist as he begins this song. Can you identify with how he is feeling?
• In a difficult or desperate situation how would you answer the question: “Where is your God?”

Here the psalmist is saying that his soul – the whole of his being – is thirsting for God, for the living God. He hasn’t lost belief in God; he is simply longing for a sense of God’s presence with him again. His close relationship with the Lord seems to have dried up. Those around him mock him, saying that his God has forsaken him. Yet he knows God is there, because he can remember how joyful he used to be as he went to worship him.

At times we too may feel dry in our relationship with God. Although we still believe, God seems far away. We long again for a sense of his being right there with us. It is so important at times like this, to cling to the truths of God’s word. He has promised he will never leave us nor forsake us. (See Hebrews 13:5).

Read Psalm 42:5-10

Reflect

• In verses 5-10 it’s as if the psalmist is giving himself a good talking to. What does he say:
  
  • About/to himself?
  • About/to God? (Note: Jordan, Hermon and Mt Mizar represent the lowest and highest points in Israel.)
• Read Mark 15:33-37. How do these verses show Jesus understands what it feels like to be abandoned by God?

There may be times when our circumstances overwhelm us, yet how good it is to remember that, as God’s children, we can always pour out our hearts to him and tell him how we feel. After all, our God is a God of comfort. He doesn’t necessarily take away our despair or our suffering, but talking to him and reading his word do provide comfort and make our pain easier to bear.

Read Psalm 42:11

Reflect

• What is the psalmist’s hope in verse 11?
• What is the promise of Acts 3:19?

We all have ups and downs in our walk with the Lord, yet the sure hope of the gospel is that one day we will leave this life behind and will be with the living God forever. One day he will wipe every tear from our eyes and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4).

Do you know someone going through a tough time at the moment? Why not stop and pray for them right now!

Let’s sing!

Living Waters (Getty); When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Watts); How Deep the Father’s Love for us (Townend); As the Deer (Michael W Smith); He Will Hold Me Fast (Habershon/Merker).