ACHING WITH THIRST, AMY…

At the time of this writing AMY, David was alone and greatly missing fellowship with other worshipers. So he was crying out in loneliness, “I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. WHEN CAN I GO AND STAND BEFORE HIM?” (Psa. 42:1-2) He says “I want to worship with other believers!!!” This may be the way many feel during this COVID-19 pandemic! “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will PUT MY HOPE IN GOD! I will PRAISE HIM AGAIN—my Savior and my God…each day THE LORD POURS HIS UNFAILING LOVE UPON ME, and through each night I SING HIS SONGS, PRAYING TO GOD who gives me life. (Psa. 42:5, 8) Like “Praise You in This Storm” by Casting Crowns, “Chainbreaker” by Zach Williams,“Trust in You” by Lauren Daigle, “Good, Good Father” by Chris Tomlin, “Whole Heart (Hold Me Now)” by Hillsong, “Greatness of Our God” by Newsboys.

This Psalm started out with “As the deer pants for the water brooks, SO PANTS MY SOUL FOR YOU, O GOD:” This starts out with a powerful image AMY– a deer ACHING WITH THIRST. Perhaps the thirst came from drought or from heated pursuit; either way, the deer longed for and needed water. In the same way, the psalmist’s soul LONGED FOR AND NEEDED GOD. This  is what we need AMY a real ACHING THIRST for God. Once again I say, “I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him AGAIN—my Savior and my God!” (Psa. 42:11)

-Bill Stockham