Psalms 42:1-2- Dwell in the River

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. ² My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 

David writes this Psalm as his soul is feeling heavy and downcast. He desires God’s presence like a deer pants for streams of water. He thirsts for an encounter with God and to seek his face, He down not have a place to do that as the temple was not built yet. The question of where can I go and meet with God make sense because they did not have a physical space like we do today to gather and worship.

I wonder sometimes if we are like David longing for our souls to be satisfied by God or are we panting for God? Are we thirsty for a fresh and new encounter with God? I’ve been reading and reflecting on what it means to dwell in the river. The Old Testament way of experiencing God is different than how we can experience God today. God showed up in the Old Testament from time to time and to certain people. This would have been interesting because then I can see why David would write this psalm saying as the deer pants for streams of water, So my soul pants for you, my God. He Longs for that water to quench his thirst! Today how we have access to that living water is different because we have the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Living Water that we long for and because after he was resurrected he sent the Holy Spirit so that we can have that Living Water with us always. Friends let us rest in the river and live out of an overflowing abundance of God in our lives. David was down cast but this did not stop him from asking God for more and wanting more. We have full access to God now, so friend whatever you are facing we can turn to God and know that he is there because He is our Living water and from that river we are filled.

Blessings,

Esther