Devotion:
Read Psalm 42:1-2.
At the edge of the Judean Desert is a stunning waterfall that cascades into a river nestled in the valley between the rocky hills called Ein Gedi. Known as the David Waterfall and River, they get their name from King David who fled to this area escaping from King Saul and his enemies. In this Psalm David is in deep despair crying out for God in the midst of trouble. He asks us to imagine a deer searching this valley for a deep water source to quench its thirst. Its mouth is dry and parched and this graceful creature is panting, desperate for life-giving water. David’s soul also feels parched, dry, and in need of spiritual refreshment. His soul is panting for the sustaining presence of God. David feels hopeless and helpless and thirsts for the “living God” to reawaken his soul. He cries out to be in the presence of God, to worship him and give him praise. Do you ever feel this same sense of desperation? We each have within us a deep need to commune with God, to have a personal relationship with the God who gave us life. Just as our bodies thirst for water, our souls thirst to feel God near and to know that he cares for us and loves us. We can go to the water of God’s Word and be refreshed. We can renew our spirit through prayer and worship. Just as the physical body thirsts for water, so do our souls, but it is a thirst that can only be quenched in God. Let’s remember what Jesus said to the woman at the well, “whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst . . . [it] will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). How thankful we are for this water that quenches our thirsty souls!
Personal Worship Option:
May we all know what it is to long for God with all of our being and what it is to find fulfillment and refreshment through his Word and his presence.
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