How long does it take you to get used to something? A new home? A new city? A new job? A new car? At most a few months for the bigger things on this list? Probably.
I’ve read Psalms 42 and 43 many, many times. How many times have I read the first two verses on the comparison of the deer panting for water and the psalmist’s soul panting for God? So, upon encountering this image today, guess what my mind did?
It flitted over the verses looking for something else to strike my fancy. I had become so used to vv. 1-2. But by becoming accustomed to it, I betrayed my unbelief in the power of the Word, my lack of expectancy for the Spirit to open my eyes to behold wonderful things from the Law.
Now, the two psalms are stitched together by a common refrain of despair and hope (42:5, 11; 43:5). Despair from from being chased out of Jerusalem by his enemies (vv. 4, 6) and being taunted by them (vv. 3, 9, 10). Hope in the God who commands His lovingkindness for and gives His presence to His people. And that despair drives his deep thirst for God, for nearness to Him, especially in public worship (v. 4).
How easy is it for me to gloss over thirsting after God. How easy is it to acknowledge that it’s a good yearning and move on.
But I wonder, where is my thirsting for God? When was the last time I genuinely thirsted for Him? When has His presence been my help? And how do I get used to, “So my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God”?
Yes, trials brought out this psalmist’s thirst for God. But it only brought out what was already there. Now, I know I have a new heart with new desires for God. But they feel so weak at times. Too many times. I’ve gotten used to not thirsting for God.
But like the psalmist, instead of just staying stuck in despair, I can turn to Christ, to His presence for help and find that He is “God my exceeding joy.” He is my my living hope.
Just by refocusing my mind on Christ excites a thirst for more of Him. It may start small, but soon that little bit of Christ taken in and will actually deepen my thirst and satisfy my soul at the same time.
