Convo with Pastor - Psalm 42:1-2a

As the deer longs for the waterbrooks,

so longs my soul for you, O God.

My soul is athirst for God,

athirst for the living God.

Psalm 42:1-2a

 

I don't do this often, so maybe you'll try it when I ask you to do this today: Memorize this verse!

 

Let me tell you why ... Every day, I try to spend meaningful time with God. And I don't know about you, but I need discipline in doing that. My schedule is overwhelming. So my human tendency is to charge out headlong into the activities of the day, tackling as much as is humanly possible. And then I fall into bed empty.

 

There's a problem with this method. Charging out in busyness without first charging up my spiritual batteries with God leaves me running on my own power ... which runs out way too quickly.

 

I know that, so I try to focus on God first and foremost. Indeed, I try many methods to do that. I try ... Prayers ... Devotions ... Bible Reading ... Quiet time ... Journaling ... Studies. And each works for a while! Then the habit fades. So when the habit fades -- and I find myself running out of charge -- I go back to my basics. I go back to an old liturgy which I pray religiously until a new pattern emerges.

 

And the first verse I pray is: "As the deer longs for the waterbrooks, so longs my soul for you, O God. My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God."

 

As I pray this, I am reminding myself what I am truly hungry and thirsty for ... God! I am reminding myself of why am I parched and empty and drained ... because I long for God like a deer pants for water.

 

Memorize this verse so you can recall it every time you feel empty.

 

In Christ's Love,

a deer

(a John Deere?)

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I have tried for a while to write something for this and tears start flowing each time. I can't keep my composure ... it is hitting a little close to home. Earlier this week my current state was equated with treading water and getting exhausted, but having to keep going.

I don't have this exact verse memorized, BUT I do frequently have this song in my mind when completely parched:

As The Deer

As the deer panteth for the water

So my soul longeth after you

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship you

You alone are my strength, my shield

To you alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship you

You're my friend and you are my brother

Even though you are a king

I love you more than any other

So much more than anything

You alone are my strength, my shield

To you alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship you

I want you more than gold or silver,

only you can satisfy.

You alone are the real joygiver

and the apple of my eye.

You alone are my strength, my shield

To you alone may my spirit yield

You alone are my heart's desire

And I long to worship you