Psalms 42:1 AMP
[1] As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks, So my soul pants [longingly] for You, O God.
The sons of Korah are credited with writing the words of this psalm. It is a song of deep reflection, showing the depths and scope of man's need for God. It does not matter how hard the world tries to convince itself of its self-sufficiency or independence; the truth is the world is in turmoil and it is only by a search for, and total surrender to God that the world will know and have peace. The world is in a constant pursuit of a false image of success that has not been defined, and can't really be defined. It is an endless search for meaning and purpose in life, where the goal keeps changing, because those who set it are not even sure of what they are looking for. And men then run themselves to the ground and into the grave, never surrendering to the God who promises and provides peace in the midst of the greatest storms. This is the God the psalmist seeks to introduce to us.
Life will happen to the best of us. There will be situations and challenges that will stretch us and threaten to derail us. There will be times when it seems that God is far away from us, or that He does not seem to fully understand what we are going through. For the deer in this story, it did not matter what had happened, or the devourers who were pursuing it; it knew it had a place to go back to for refreshment and nourishment. It had a clear idea of its need, and where to go to for help. There are two interesting definitions for the word 'pant': long for or to do something', and 'breathe with short, quick breaths, typically from exertion or excitement'. This is quite a powerful picture: the deer would seek the waters with excitement and longing, knowing full well the benefits and blessings it would derive from the waters. Is there anything in my life so powerful that is keeping me away from seeking God today?
Like the deer in the verse above, do I know the true source of all that I need for life and Godliness? Am I seeking for God the right way, or am I open to alternative suggestions on how to make things work? Is God alone sufficient for all facets and phases of my life or have I learnt to compartmentalise my life, giving God access only to the areas that are convenient? Or do I only look for Him when there is trouble looming? Let God not become a side-attraction; let Him be the one and only attraction. God does not force Himself on anyone or go against the exercise of a man's freewill, but wherever He is allowed to rule and reign, the difference is always clear. As the word of God says, God is seeking to show Himself strong in the lives of all who are fully submitted to Him. Like the psalmist, my soul is focused on God alone. I thirst for Him; I may have tried other options and they have failed. God has never been known to fail, as it is not in His nature to. Seek Him today; eternal benefits lie at the end of that search. God's time of favour is here.
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