"God has made us for Himself, and we are restless till we find our rest in Him." - AugustineThere are probably very few of us who have experienced the anguish of extreme hunger. And, even fewer still who have known the the torment of intense thirst. But, of the two, most will testify that thirst, far and away, is the worst.
There is another type of thirst that touches us in a more deep, and profound way. It is the thirst that the devout believer always has for God. As an example, I refer you to Psalm 42:2. David wrote this when he was forced to flee Jerusalem because of the revolt of Absalom (2 Samuel 15:16).
His inspiration for writing this poem was his hasty retreat from Jerusalem. As a fugitive, he fled the Holy City and felt he had lost his close connection to God. For those of us who are of the New Covenant, we know this isn't so. But for David, he associated God with a physical setting.
David, whom was accustomed to approaching God within the walls of the sancturary, viewed his being cut-off from the tabernacle and its ceremonies as a sort of disconnection from God himself. Therefore, in his perceived state of banishment his "thirst" for God grew ever more intense.
Interestingly, no O.T. verse tells of living water that flows from either a believer, or the Messiah. There are, however, many Scriptures that express God's provision of water as evidence of his grace and as an image of his gift of life in his presence (Exodus 17:1-6; Ezekiel 47:1-11; Zechariah 14:8).
Even the most devoted believer may experience a weakening of the thirst for God. One may go for months or years without understanding the craving in his heart. Does this mean that our thirst for Him could possibly die? (Jeremiah 2:13; 17:13)
Each of us possess many feelings. Some of these might be subdued, but not eradicated. The thirst for the living God happens to be one which cannot be quelled. Yes, it may be possible to dampen or deaden the capacity for God, but as long as His light remains burning within, it still exists.
Many are unaware that they thirst for Him. For all they have gained, they still lack fulfillment; as if something is missing. Perhaps a circumstance, or situation turned turned them away from Him. Yet that feeling of deficiency still gnaws away at their insides. Thus, God often teaches his children the worth of His mercies by causing us to desire them.
Beyond question, the best antidote against an uneasy, thirsting spirit is a believing confidence in God. Only by resting in the God of our mercies may we cast our miseries aside. You might be thinking, "How does the Christian go about satisfying this thirst of his soul?"
I have included some suggestions you might use to help satisfy spirtual thirst for God. 1) Study, study, study God's word daily, Be consistent in your reading of Scripture. 2) Try exercising deep reflection about Him. Consider all He has done and provided in your life.
3) I cannot stress the importance of prayer and praise! Daily prayer is essential to the Christan life. 4) Although this may be difficult, the avoidance of sin also plays a large part in our lives. 5) And finally, keep your eyes on the prize! Our focus should always be on heaven and not on earthly things.
Let God gratify your "thirst" for His loving mercy and grace today, won't you?
Scripture: John 4:14; John 7:37; Revelation 22:17; Matthew 25:35; Isaiah 44:3
Prayer: Holy Father, place in my heart a desire to please You and fill my mind with thoughts of Your Love, so that I may grow in Your Wisdom and enjoy Your Peace. I pray that Your light will always burn brightly in my heart. Amen
May God bless!
Elise
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