Psalm 42

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, ‘Where is your God?’ When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.”  Psalm 42:1-5 (NKJV)

You may not guess by looking at me today, but I used to be a college athlete. I recall those long cross-country workouts, seven or eight miles from my dorm room, thirsting for a drink of water! That memory of long-distance race training is how I picture the deer of the Ein Gedi, whose life depended on finding a random stream in the desert. It is also an excellent word picture of how we should seek the Lord, not as a RESOURCE for living, but as THE SOURCE of life. Jesus used the same image.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)

Exactly what is the psalmist thirsting for? God! But what aspect of God does he want? His protection? His prosperity? No, it is His proximity, His presence. More specifically, going to the temple and worshipping with others. The psalmist sought the presence of the Lord within the community of believers, the “multitude.”

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV)

The psalmist attended the temple at the appointed feasts: Passover, Shavuot (Pentecost) & Sukkot (Festival of Booths), but now his sin has forced him to stop. Many followers of Jesus become convinced that their sin separates them from the godly community. Satan whispers discouragement and counsels against approaching God. It is how the enemy isolates us from God’s merciful forgiveness and our rejoining the community of believers.

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

God is faithful and just to forgive those who ask. Experience His blessing again!

“And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, “This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”’” Numbers 6:22-26 (NKJV)