As the Deer
If you live in NJ, you’ve probably seen your fair share of deer. Some of you may have even come into close contact with these white-tailed creatures. But here’s the real question: have you ever noticed a deer panting? I often see my dog panting. And as humans, in this summer heat wave, we know what it’s like to crave a cold drink of water. But I’m still waiting to witness a panting deer.
Psalm 42:1-2 says, “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 was a lament song prepared for the Sons of Korah to sing (see the intro comments to Psalm 42). The Sons of Korah were the appointed temple musicians under David’s kingship. And I bet this rocky, hilly, desert location would have been the perfect place to witness a panting deer. Israel has notoriously long dry spells, few springs, and rainfall is not dependable. Water wasn’t just something that refreshed you; it was essential to your survival!
This poetic song compares the familiar visual of a thirsty animal to how our souls thirst for God. If you read further into Psalm 42, you’ll hear the writer lamenting (passionately crying out in distress) with their particular circumstances.
The hardships and trials we walk through often bring clarity to our great need. To say it another way, we become more aware of our need in lack than plenty.
I don’t know what trial or difficulty you’re facing right now.
- It could be a particular financial struggle.
- It could be relational brokenness that leaves us unsettled.
- It could be conflict in our families.
- Or a long season with no clear answer to your prayer.
But in the midst of it all, I pray we find ourselves on a deep, guttural level crying out in thirst for the presence of God. There are particular thirsts in our lives that no amount of success, comfort, distraction, money, food, entertainment, or control can quench. They can only be met by God...by the living God.
Prayer: Lord, we thank You for allowing the heat to be turned up in our lives, causing us to thirst for You like never before. Help us turn away from quick fixes and cheap imitations of Your presence. We need YOU, Living God, to satisfy our deepest longings and needs. Teach us to wait on You in the midst of the dry season, knowing You are our provider who loves us and knows our need before it even comes to our minds. We trust You, El Chai (the Living God), to lead us as the good shepherd who leads his sheep. Amen.