David’s son Absalom, was taking over as king so David and his helpers were going into hiding. David wrote the 42nd Psalm, “As THE DEER PANTS for the water brooks, So PANTS MY SOUL FOR YOU, O God.” (Psa. 42:1) What is interesting here is that a deer does not normally pant, a deer only pants when it is being chased by a predator. As soon as a deer escapes and knows it is safe, it will immediately look for water to replenish its very depleted inner water stores. However, if a deer runs for too long from an enemy and cannot get to water, the panting from lack of water will cause the deer to collapse and die. This shows DAVIDS DESPERATION, he goes on to say…
Notice the difference in these very similar verse’s. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of HIS COUNTENANCE (pânı̂ym: the face of),.” (Psa. 42:5) “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of MY COUNTENANCE and my God. (Psa. 42:11) When the soul rests on itself (our countenance), it sinks; if it holds on to the power and promise of God (His countenance), our head is HELD UP. And our support under the present woes will be OUR COMFORT IN HIM. “Seek the LORD and His strength; SEEK HIS FACE evermore! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth…” (Psa. 105:4-5) The Hebrew word for “face” in the Old Testament is often translated “presence.” When we seek the face of God, we are seeking HIS PRESENCE.
“When You said, “SEEK MY FACE,” My heart said to You, “Your face, LORD, I WILL SEEK.” Do not hide Your face from me; Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not LEAVE ME NOR FORSAKE ME, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the LORD WILL TAKE CARE OF ME.” (Psa. 27:8-10) I don’t say this flippantly at all, but let the Lord take care of you. So often we experience deep, deep hurt and we never heal from it because we hold it tight, even find our identity in it, and never let it go enough to LET JESUS BIND UP OUR WOUNDS. You have to choose to LET HIM HEAL YOU.
-Bill Stockham