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Psalm 42:1-4  
For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah.

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 people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.

The deer is out of breath and out of strength. Running through the mountains has exhausted his body but focused his mind. There is one thing he can think about…one thing he needs. He yearns for a mountain stream running with cold, refreshing water. This pursuit is the longing of his heart.

The psalmist likens the deer’s search for water to his quest for God. As every part of the deer desires a drink so every part of the psalmist craves God. His inward parts thirst for the living God. He wants to be near God, wants to enjoy God, wants to experience God, and wants to be satisfied by God.

That’s not only the desire of the psalmist, is it? You and I want the same thing. We have tried many things that left our soul dry. We have sampled the world’s offerings without contentment. We have hiked the dead-end trails and scaled the wrong mountains. It’s time to meet with God.

Father, I come panting and thirsty for You. I am tired of being spiritually tired. I am done with being spiritually dry. I am finished with the insatiable cravings of the world. I am empty and need filling. I am longing and need satisfied. I am out of breath and need a place of rest. I need You. I need You….