Learning DAILY

Psalm 42:1-2, As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God.  My soul thirsts for the living God.  When shall I come and appear before the living God?  

Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Nothing seems to quench one’s thirst like a glass of water.  Some look to substitutes like Gatorade or soda (pop) or something else to do what only water can do.  There are times when water is not near and the thirst seems to be more than the person can bear.  The athlete, the worker who is in the sun put all their effort into quenching their thirst as quickly as possible.  Oh, the happiness that comes when the water is drank. 

At this time David was fleeing from Absalom and was not concerned about singing a new song to the Lord.  The Psalm indicates that he was depressed and had no sensing of God’s nearness to him; he desperately wanted.  Verse three of the Psalm tells us that tears flowed from his eyes and those around him were continually asking where his God was.  The Psalm indicates that Davis did not know.  But as the entire Psalm is read, verse 11 speaks of putting one’s hope in God during times of deep distress like David was going through.  Once again, the answer to the question of where God is - praise!

“When people worship and praise God, they become aware of His magnificence.  Suddenly, the circumstances of life begin to pale in comparison to the greatness of God.” (David Jeremiah Study Bible).  As water is essential for physical life, so God and His presence is essential for real satisfaction in our life.  Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”  For true Believers, to stop thirsting for God is to die spiritually; we must not allow anything to stop our intense desire for the things of God.  The things or cares for the world, pursuit of earthly pleasure can choke out the hunger and thirst for God and can keep one from the desire to pray and read one’s Bible.

“Those who thirst for God and yearn for a greater manifestation of His presence may experience delay.  Yet the faithful believer will continue thirsting and seeking God.  The Lord promises to bless those who hunger and thirst after righteousness rather than settle for less than His full blessing.  In the midst of God’s silence, we must continue to press on to know God and to experience a greater measure of the Holy Spirit.  We must not despair, but put our hope in God and trust in His steadfast love.” (The Life in the Spirit Study Bible)

I pray almost everyday that each of my family will have a hunger and thirst for righteousness, that each of them will have a greater desire to pray and find time to read their Bible.  My desire for them is to desire God and His presence as much as that thirst-quenching drink of water when thirsty!  Difficulties of life can capture our focus and get our attention away from the One who has the solution.  The Psalmist gives encouragement to place our hope in God during difficult times.  Always remember He has neither forgotten us nor forsaken us.  Give Him praise and know your hope is not in vain!

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