Thirsty for God

This week I am reading Psalms 41 to 45, and as I read all five of those psalms this morning, there was no one verse or phrase or word that jumped out at me. Rather, there was a sense or perception I received
from all five that impressed me: a deep longing for God. The psalm writers (and at least two are named in these selection: David and the sons of Korah), in every psalm, express a heart-felt longing for the presence and activity of God. This is true whether the writer is celebrating the king's wedding (Psalm 45) or is anxious and sick (Psalm 41). The desire for God, the longing for God, the hunger and thirst for God are writ large in every poem.

We see it most clearly in Psalm 42:1 & 2.

As the deer pants for streams of water,
So my soul pants for you, God.
My soul thirsts for God, the living God;
When shall I come and appear before God?

It is desire made plain - expressed simply, yet we see it in all of the psalms.

And the question that came quickly to my mind this morning was: am I longing for God this morning?

It is a Monday morning, and as soon as my alarm went off, my head filled with all things I have to do today. And that not being enough, my mind soon turned to all the things I had to do this week. Bible studies to prepare, meetings, people to visit and check on, administrative duties, and phone calls I need to make. But in the midst of it all, am I longing for God? Do I thirst for the presence of God's Spirit? Do I hunger for the Divine love and mercy and activity?

So my prayer this morning is one of longing - that I may desire God more and that in my longing for him I should find Him at work in me.