3-6-09

Psalm 42:1-2 (New American Standard Bible)
1As the deer [a]pants for the water brooks, So my soul (A)pants for You, O God. 2My soul (B)thirsts for God, for the (C)living God; When shall I come and (D)appear before God?


I just love these verses! I read somewhere that deer like to eat near water. If they are hunted, they go to rivers or creeks and stay submerged in the water as long as they possibly can. Then they will go downstream to get away from the hunter. Another way they try to get away from the hunter is to run and run but then they become so weary. They are dry and thirsty so they pant after the water brooks. Deer know by instinct that only the water can quench their thirst.

This is how we should be with God. Not run away from Him of course but be so thirsty that only He can quench our thirst. Our souls should be just crying out to Him because we love Him so much. I love when Nicole sings that song - like a deer panting for water, my soul yearns. Do our heart and souls really thirst for Him? I sure hope so because He is the only one who can quench our thirst. To pant means to:
1. To breathe rapidly in short gasps, as after exertion.
2. To beat loudly or heavily; throb or pulsate.
3. To give off loud puffs, especially while moving.
4. To long demonstratively; yearn:

Thirst means: An insistent desire; a craving

David knew that only God could help Him. He had been through many troubles before and knew that God could come to His rescue. He was so thirsty for God. I love that about David. Even though He had been through a lot, he always had a longing for God. I've always heard of "whet your appetite." I think that's what David did. He encouraged himself in God. To whet your appetite means to sharpen your appetite. So let's pant and thirst for God and "whet our appetites" by reading the Word and sharpening our spiritual skills.