“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I go and appear before God?” Psalm 42: 1-2
Recently I was enjoying having coffee with Jesus on our patio with the relaxing sounds of the water fountain. I looked up and one little bee was franticly flying around the fountain trying to land. But the movement of the water discouraged it from landing. However, after some perseverance the bee found a safe haven to land between the downward flow into the second bowl. Success! It was quenching his thirst. To my amazement, this little creature continued to drink for over one minute. Suddenly, my eyes were taken off my new found friend from the distraction of an intruding bird.
This momentary encounter with a thirsty little honeybee has great spiritual implications.
For the Psalmist said, “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I go and appear before God?” Psalm 42: 1-2 (ESV)
Can you visualize a deer searching franticly for a stream of water to quench his thirst? Do you thirst for the living God? Is your soul lacking the life-giving water of God’s Word and presence?
David was desperate for the water of God’s presence, touch, and Word. Like David, we need to come to the water of the Word of God to be refreshed and cleansed. Just as the physical body thirsts for water, so does our souls, but it is a thirst that can only be quenched in God.
In John 7: 37-38, Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (ESV)
When do you meet with Jesus to receive His truth and promise of living water?
The best time for me is in the morning. The Psalmist said in Chapter 90:14, “Satisfy us (me) in the morning with Your unfailing love, that we (I) may sing for joy and be glad all our (my) days.”
If you do not have a regular and consistent quiet time with Jesus now, I would encourage you to set a plan and start. Do not let the distractions or your to-do lists to discourage your new plan with Jesus. Submit your plan to the Lord and record your commitment in a journal. The hardest thing is just to begin! Start with a realistic time and eventually, through repetition, a wonderful habit will occur. But be aware of your distractions and temptations.
Loving Father, thank You for sending Jesus to save me and the Holy Spirit to sustain and renew me. Please bless me as I seek to draw closer to my Savior and restore my soul with the refreshing steams of living water of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.