This morning I read my friend Tracy’s entry on “The Will to Worship” blog (http://www.thewilltoworship.blogspot.com). She talks about how Psalm 42 has meant a lot to her this year. “As the deer pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God..." From Psalm 42 the popular song, “As the Deer” was written…it goes like this in part:
As the deer panteth for the water, So my soul longeth after thee. You alone are my hearts desire, And I long to worship thee. Chorus: You alone are my strength my shield, To You alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my hearts desire, And I long to worship thee.
I identified with what she wrote. Don’t we all thirst for more in life? Don’t we all thirst for fulfillment beyond what we can provide ourselves? I hunger and thirst for God, and especially in times of hurt, confusion, and in times of need. So I was blessed by what she wrote and tucked it way in my heart this morning….but it would come up again.
God is so good to speak to me through nature. As I drove to read at my spot today…I pulled up to the lake seeing something in the distance. Something huge was in the water…no was it? I carefully snuck to the shore line, as no to scare my friend away. It was! Antlers protruding out of the water! There was a deer swimming in the lake. A ways out, he frolicked around so happy to be in the water. He was swimming around in circles….then would move closer. What a sight. I stood and watched him until he swam ashore and his body and long legs emerged. There he was standing, what a beautiful creature. (I thought to myself, this is the smartest deer in the Valley, hunting season started yesterday, and he’s taking to the water!).
Instantly when I got out of the car, I knew God wanted to point something out with this picture. First, I was surprised to see a deer swimming…I don’t know why, but it’s just not something I’ve seen before. I stood there enjoying the moment, and then it hit me. What I had read earlier from Tracy’s post. “As the Deer!” Wow God, you are so amazing to provide real life illustrations!
I felt like God was saying, those who thirst after God will not find a trickle but and abundance of God’s goodness and of His presence. This young buck was the perfect image of what God can do for us. Peacefully basking around in the water with such pleasure, emerced right up to his neck. He was fully surrounded, and fully enjoying himself, safe from danger!
I was reminded of Jesus’ answer to the woman at the well “Everyone who drinks this water [ordinary well] will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13,14).
God has more than natural resources for our lives. He has supernatural wellsprings of life that can sustain us now and unto eternity. He is able and willing to full us with his living water – peace, hope, joy, love, acceptance - all the things that nourish our hearts. All the things that as we receive translate in to healing, good relationships, and wisdom for our lives. What psalm 42 points out is that God is our great hope even in times of trouble, with provision for our needs as we seek him. “As the deer pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God..." Tell him how much you need him today. Take to the waters!
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11
As the deer panteth for the water, So my soul longeth after thee. You alone are my hearts desire, And I long to worship thee. Chorus: You alone are my strength my shield, To You alone may my spirit yield. You alone are my hearts desire, And I long to worship thee.
I identified with what she wrote. Don’t we all thirst for more in life? Don’t we all thirst for fulfillment beyond what we can provide ourselves? I hunger and thirst for God, and especially in times of hurt, confusion, and in times of need. So I was blessed by what she wrote and tucked it way in my heart this morning….but it would come up again.
God is so good to speak to me through nature. As I drove to read at my spot today…I pulled up to the lake seeing something in the distance. Something huge was in the water…no was it? I carefully snuck to the shore line, as no to scare my friend away. It was! Antlers protruding out of the water! There was a deer swimming in the lake. A ways out, he frolicked around so happy to be in the water. He was swimming around in circles….then would move closer. What a sight. I stood and watched him until he swam ashore and his body and long legs emerged. There he was standing, what a beautiful creature. (I thought to myself, this is the smartest deer in the Valley, hunting season started yesterday, and he’s taking to the water!).
Instantly when I got out of the car, I knew God wanted to point something out with this picture. First, I was surprised to see a deer swimming…I don’t know why, but it’s just not something I’ve seen before. I stood there enjoying the moment, and then it hit me. What I had read earlier from Tracy’s post. “As the Deer!” Wow God, you are so amazing to provide real life illustrations!
I felt like God was saying, those who thirst after God will not find a trickle but and abundance of God’s goodness and of His presence. This young buck was the perfect image of what God can do for us. Peacefully basking around in the water with such pleasure, emerced right up to his neck. He was fully surrounded, and fully enjoying himself, safe from danger!
I was reminded of Jesus’ answer to the woman at the well “Everyone who drinks this water [ordinary well] will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:13,14).
God has more than natural resources for our lives. He has supernatural wellsprings of life that can sustain us now and unto eternity. He is able and willing to full us with his living water – peace, hope, joy, love, acceptance - all the things that nourish our hearts. All the things that as we receive translate in to healing, good relationships, and wisdom for our lives. What psalm 42 points out is that God is our great hope even in times of trouble, with provision for our needs as we seek him. “As the deer pants and longs for the water brooks, so I pant and long for You, O God..." Tell him how much you need him today. Take to the waters!
The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11
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