17 - Connecting w/ God
Dr Jim Brown's TruNorth Devotional
CONNECTING with GOD
Day 17 | LOOKING FOR GOD
CONNECTING with GOD
Day 17 | LOOKING FOR GOD
LOOKING FOR GOD
Psalm 42:1-3
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, ‘Where is your God?’”
The writer here – the sons of Korah (musicians in King David’s court) – begins with a picture of a deer with extreme thirst… panting for water, mouth dry, getting weaker, needing water to continue to live. And then the psalm parallels this thirst to that of one’s soul longing – “panting” for “You, my God.”
The psalmist continues by describing that thirst for God, the living God and wondering “Where can I go to meet with God?” It’s implied that the writer of this psalm would GO anywhere, DO anything to be satisfied with God’s presence.
In fact verse 3 says “my tears have been my food day and night…”
Have you ever been there? Either so thirsty physically that you’re “dying for a drink of water”? Or so hungry for fellowship with God that you NEED Him. So desperate that you NEED His reassurance that He’s nearby, that He KNOWS your situation and has a plan to help you get OUT from underneath that problem.
They psalmist also suggests that he’s been taunted by those around him who sarcastically ask: “So where is this supposed God of yours?”
Have you been there? In so deep that the ONLY way out is by the hand of God. But then you call upon Him and seem to hear only silence.
Sometimes God can seem far off to us all. (I still maintain the old adage: “If you feel far from God, guess who moved?”) And sometimes, He’s just waiting for us to recognize our emptiness without him and then to call out to Him for His help or His presence.
Never forget – and this is more difficult to do during hard times – that God loves you and is at work for your ultimate benefit. “For we know that ALL THINGS work together for the good of those who love Him, to those who are called according to His name.” (Romans 8:28)
I have found though, that until you go through the “valley of the shadow of death” or similar dark days or tough times, you’ll not know your ability to cling to HIM and receive His help in times of need.
The psalmist – who knew the Lord well – says it best: “My soul pants for you, O God.”
Until you get to that point, where God becomes YOUR Rock, YOUR fortress, YOUR deliverer, you’ll not know that peace which passes all understanding.
Prayer: Lord, I do want to know you better. I do want to trust you more. I do want to put you first in my life. Lead me, guide me, and help me Lord. Amen.
Psalm 42:1-3
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, ‘Where is your God?’”
The writer here – the sons of Korah (musicians in King David’s court) – begins with a picture of a deer with extreme thirst… panting for water, mouth dry, getting weaker, needing water to continue to live. And then the psalm parallels this thirst to that of one’s soul longing – “panting” for “You, my God.”
The psalmist continues by describing that thirst for God, the living God and wondering “Where can I go to meet with God?” It’s implied that the writer of this psalm would GO anywhere, DO anything to be satisfied with God’s presence.
In fact verse 3 says “my tears have been my food day and night…”
Have you ever been there? Either so thirsty physically that you’re “dying for a drink of water”? Or so hungry for fellowship with God that you NEED Him. So desperate that you NEED His reassurance that He’s nearby, that He KNOWS your situation and has a plan to help you get OUT from underneath that problem.
They psalmist also suggests that he’s been taunted by those around him who sarcastically ask: “So where is this supposed God of yours?”
Have you been there? In so deep that the ONLY way out is by the hand of God. But then you call upon Him and seem to hear only silence.
Sometimes God can seem far off to us all. (I still maintain the old adage: “If you feel far from God, guess who moved?”) And sometimes, He’s just waiting for us to recognize our emptiness without him and then to call out to Him for His help or His presence.
Never forget – and this is more difficult to do during hard times – that God loves you and is at work for your ultimate benefit. “For we know that ALL THINGS work together for the good of those who love Him, to those who are called according to His name.” (Romans 8:28)
I have found though, that until you go through the “valley of the shadow of death” or similar dark days or tough times, you’ll not know your ability to cling to HIM and receive His help in times of need.
The psalmist – who knew the Lord well – says it best: “My soul pants for you, O God.”
Until you get to that point, where God becomes YOUR Rock, YOUR fortress, YOUR deliverer, you’ll not know that peace which passes all understanding.
Prayer: Lord, I do want to know you better. I do want to trust you more. I do want to put you first in my life. Lead me, guide me, and help me Lord. Amen.
Posted in Connecting w/ God