Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 42:1-6a
Ps 42:1-6a
As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. 5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and 6 my God.
Matt 5:3-6
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
One of the most comforting promises in scripture (both old and new Testaments) is that when we honestly seek the Lord, to know God and to serve him, we will be able to find him. He will open the door and make himself available to all – no matter where we live or who we are. Jesus promised if we ask, it will be given, seek and we will find, knock and it will be opened to us. The gospel is the power of God to salvation, to everyone who will believe in Jesus as the Son of God. In the great commission, Jesus said to go make disciples of all nations.
David trusted God. Without any doubt or wavering, his faith was steadfast, and his hope was sure. But even then, he had times when he faced trials, temptations and hardships and longed to be closer to God. Just as in our case today, there were times when he did not see God at work in his life and wondered why, when or how God would respond. It is easy to become downcast, despondent and even depressed but when we turn to God, he will give us comfort and peace.
How does a deer pant for water? In a land that often was lacking in water, it means the deer wanted water more than anything else in its life. This is one of those scenes where the deer and the lion share the same waterhole. Water is life, and worth all danger to get it. This is our quest for God and his favor.
Thank you, Lord, for your love. Thank you for making yourself available to me in times of trials but also when things are going well for me. Help me keep my eyes focused on you and to love you with all my heart and soul. Lord don’t let me be selfish with your gospel or your blessings in Jesus Christ. Give me a loving and caring heart so I will share your salvation with others. Give your peace and healing to those who are sick and suffering. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
