Longing


"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?" 
Psalm 42:1-2

As the sun continued to bear down on us, the bales of hay began to feel heavier and heavier. The end of the field seemed to drift further out of view with the stacking of each row on the wagon. Sweat poured out of us as if an internal pipe had broke. We were all way beyond thirsty. Once the last few bales landed in place, we all turned our attention to the red spigot near the barn. Connected to a deep well, this spigot brought forth what to us seemed like the purest, coldest, and most refreshing water in the world. It was healing to both body and soul. 

The author of our psalm for the day was desperately thirsty as well. Not for water. He was thirsty for God. Circumstances within and without had left him in a place of longing. It wasn't the way it was before. His people were not only tragically turning from God, they were also turning on him. Undaunted, he kept hoping, he kept remembering, he kept singing, he kept praying confident that he would once again be praising in the presence of God. His thirst would be quenched.

What are we desperate for these days? Is it rest, wisdom, clarity, healing, answers, provision, love, acceptance or security just to name a few of the common "must haves." All of these are good things to desire. Jesus encouraged us, however, to set down the good to take up the best. "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added onto you." "Come to me all of you who are weary and burdened and you will find rest for your souls."

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