Psalm 42:1-5 NKJV 1 As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, While they continually say to me, “Where is your God?” 4 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. 5 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.
As the deer pants for the water brooks, or “longs” for the water. The sons of Korah wrote Psalm 42 and in verse 1 they paint a beautiful picture through words, illustrating a deer that is thirsty. Maybe the deer has enjoyed a day in the forest. Maybe the deer has been running away from a hunter, or maybe running away from a predatory animal. Regardless of the reason why, whether good or bad, water is a necessity in life. We as humans understand the need to be refreshed when we are thirsty too.
When I was a kid, my friends and I would get thirsty from playing outside all day. For us we did not care where the water source came from. It did not matter if it was from a faucet or a garden hose. When you are thirsty you are thirsty. When I was in the military as a young adult, I learned how to appreciate the need for water. The military taught me to drink as much water when I can, as often as I can. It did not matter how hot or icy the water was, you learn quickly how to appreciate water. But now for over the past 20+ years, we as humans have been picky about the water we drink. Is the water at room temperature or ice cold? Is it in a glass, a bottle, or a can? Where did the water come from? What brand is it?
The psalmist understood that when in distress you have to turn to a life source, the Life Source. The psalmist declares in verse 2 that “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God”. There is a yearning and longing for more of God. Only God can satisfy us. How wonderful it is to feel refreshed and renewed under the presence of God. Times like that when my soul thirsts for God I like to put on some soaking worship music and just spend time praising God. I will take time to quiet myself, and try to quiet my thoughts. Take time to pray and take time to listen to His voice. How awesome it is of what Jesus did on the cross that we are able to freely enter in the throne room of God. Full access to God 24/7. That we can just sit at His feet and be ministered to as we worship Him. The veil was rent in two and God welcomes time with His sons and daughters.
In verse 4 the psalmist remembered what it was like to go into the house of God full of joy and praise. And how great it was to be with the multitude of God’s children in the house of God, corporate worship. Why is it so easy for us to forget sometimes about God’s blessings during times of distress and chaos? Taking time to remember the goodness of God is helpful during times of distress. Remembering the goodness of God can restore our joy, just like when we reflect on a great memory of milestones in our life. Surrendering our life to Jesus is the greatest milestone of our life. When the enemy tries to distract you, then turn your focus back to God. Just as the psalmist says in verse 4, “I pour out my soul within me”, we too should pour our soul out to God. Only He can heal those places of hurt that we bury deep inside us.
In verse 5 the psalmist recognizes that he is feeling down, but the psalmist does not stay focused on the pain alone. Instead, the psalmist reminds himself to “hope in God.” And then he makes the declaration that “I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” Once again yearning for God in the midst of distress. We also have God’s word to remind us to hope in Him. It might at times take a lot of convincing ourselves to hope in God during distress, but no matter what do not stop and do not give up! Press in and break through.
Jesus gave us this promise in John 7:37-38 NKJV, 37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”
Jesus is the living water, He flows around us and in us, always. All we have to do is tap into that well, the source of life. What do you crave during times of distress? Better yet who do you crave during times of distress? Just as a deer pants for the water, thirst for the living water of Jesus, thirst for the living God! Yearn for more of God! As rivers of living water flow out of our heart then we are able to encourage others to yearn for more of God too. To be a blessing to others who may be thirsty. To remind others to hope in God. Let the rivers of living water flow.
