Thirst

"As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God." - Psalm 42:2-3

I've read that among Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. We drink so little water that when we're thirsty, we know our bodies are in need of something, but we can't even identify it, so we find other ways to quench the thirst. Now, imagine what thirst does to a soul in need of its water.

One day as I was studying the bible with my mother, we came upon this psalm and she asked me why I thought the psalmist compares themselves with a deer longing for streaming water. When I told her I didn't know, she explained to me that no matter how thirsty, a deer will never drink from a stagnant pool of water, but will keep searching until they find a fresh, flowing stream. We need to ask God to make us like this deer! How many of us thirst for God but try to quench that thirst with bad relationships and bad habits? We need something, we need a connection to fill the void, fill the emptiness, fill the loneliness but look for things that will only serve as a band-aid over a deep wound at best. And speaking from experience, I know that the things I have tried to fill myself with haven't been good for me, because I still felt doubt in my heart, but by not realizing that I needed to go for living water to quench my thirst, I allowed myself to stay in stagnant water. The true, living stream of life is Jesus Christ and only He can quench the thirst in your soul. Our souls are so weak right now that we might not even realize or believe that it's Him we need… but doesn't it make sense that if He created us, our beings need Him to sustain us? … but how many times, if at all, do we seek to fill ourselves with that source of life? If I tell you for the health of your body, or to look better, drink more water… I know you would do it. But now I'm telling you for your soul, follow your thirst and have your fill of the living water of God. The more you drink, the more you will recognize His life in your life.

Today's Prayer:
My God, I am thirsty for so much. I'm constantly searching and everything I try leaves me empty but You. Fill me, quench my thirst and sustain me. I want to be like the deer that only longs for the streaming waters. In Jesus' Name we pray, amen.