Thirsty & Desperate

 "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?"

— Psalm 42:1-2

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

It's fairly rare for me to be without access to water and become so thirsty that I am desperate. The very few times when I have been thirsty, it wasn't long before I could find the water I needed. But this Psalmist isn't writing about a thirst that's easily quenched. This Psalmist is writing about a thirst that is more intense than anything I've ever experienced. This is a desperate thirst from deep in the soul. A thirst for the presence of the Living God.

Desperate people stick out. They aren't put together and under control. They aren't quietly predictable. Desperate people, especially thirsty, desperate people, are searching madly for what will satisfy. And not all thirsty, desperate people find what does.

Lord, you alone are what satisfies my soul's thirst. But how thirsty am I? How desperate am I? Does my soul pant for you? Does my soul thirst for you, the Living God? Am I truly searching to find you, to meet with you?

Gracious Lord, today help me acknowledge my thirst and realize that too often I try to satisfy it with things that only leave me more depleted. Today, I actually choose to be desperate for You to satisfy my soul's deep thirst. As one who is desperate for You, I'm unconcerned about how my desperation may make me appear. I'm uninterested in trying to hold it together when my very soul is longing for You. So today I run into Your presence. I rush to meet with You, my God. I pursue You, for You alone can truly satisfy!

In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen!

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