Sunday, October 29, 2017

Psalm 42: Thirsty For God

The Psalmist of Psalm 42 and 43 (they go together) is deeply troubled.  His experience is one of being a joyful worshiper in the past - even a leader of religious pilgrims (vs. 4) - yet he finds now to be a time of spiritual dryness.  He remembers being once quenched and satisfied by God's presence, like a cascading waterfall, but now he is like a thirsty deer, longing for a fresh encounter with the living God.

The bad news is that the Psalmist is in a season of drought.  Tears are his food rather than the freshwater of God's Spirit.  His soul is cast down, he feels forgotten by God, and his enemies taunt him.  This can be a lesson for us that we, too, may go through parched places in our walk with God.

The good news is that Psalmist doesn't lose hope even in the midst of this despair.  Though it is a tough time for him right now, he knows that he will yet have an opportunity to once more praise God.  God has given him a song in the night to give him the hope that he needs.  He is confident that his spiritual thirst will one day be quenched again!

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