As a Deer....

My eyes recently fell on the verses from Psalms 42. I am reminded of the deer and how it needs water to survive, as do we. But this verse isn't saying just a quick drink and then on its way. I picture something has frightened the deer or has been chasing it and it is desperate for a drink. So much so, that it LONGS for a drink. What are things you long for in life, a bigger home, a better job, nicer clothes, a new car, people to love you or maybe a dream vacation? Our Savior wants you to long for him. He really is the only thing that can quench the thirst in us. He is the only One who can offer us living water.

I read this verse in several different translations and want to share three of them with you.

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. ~Psalm 42:1-2 ESV

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. ~Psalm 42:1-2 NLT

Just like a deer that craves streams of water, my whole being craves you, God. My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God. ~Psalm 42:1-2 CEV

As you can see, the writer wants us to see our desperate need for God. Not just when our life has time for Him, or when we need something. Not when we just casually have time for Him, but searching, craving, longing, for Him.

I can't say enough that God desires relationship with us. So much so, He left the glories of Heaven to come to the sin filled earth, to pay the price He knew ahead of time, we could never pay. So, rather than us be completely separated forever, He came to save us.

I pray that you are desperate for Him. I crave His Word, and love to listen and hear that still quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. Do you too? As you go about your day, week, month, spend time with Him. He wants to help us on the rough journey of life.