A Thirst For God

“As the hart
panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul
thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before
God?” (Psalm 42:1-2 KJV)

On the front page of
the Anniston Star, October 14, 2007, the headlines glared at the reader:
“Exceptional Drought.” The article claimed, “The region appears to be headed
for its second driest year in more than a century. A little rain must fall.”
The article tells how that a drought can alter the landscape of a lake or river
town. As she read this article, Bobbie thought of how this drought had changed
the way Alabamians do things in everyday tasks. Some communities were
restricted from watering their lawns or flowers. They could not wash their
cars. The drought made water become a very precious commodity. We always knew
it was important but the drought gave water a new value.

This article caused
the Smith household to stop and consider several issues. One of those issues is
our spiritual lives. Are they in a drought also, crying out for water in a
barren and thirsty land? Do our souls thirst for God? Do we thirst for the living
water that will refresh us? Does our thirst cause us to reach for Him . . . to
grow in Him . . . to lean on Him . . . to trust Him . . . to have faith in Him?

As we survey the
trees in the surrounding countryside, note that some of them died and did not
survive the 2007 drought. Think about our lives. Will they survive a spiritual
drought? As Christians, are we continuously going to the source of refreshing,
living water?

In John chapter 4,
Jesus took a break at a well and met a woman who was experiencing a drought.
She requested, “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst . . .” I want
that source of water too! I don’t want to be thirsty, yet I want the thirst
that keeps me coming back. I want a continuous relationship with Christ where
spiritual drought doesn’t exist.

When the rain falls,
note how the grass soaks it up and the trees reach for the life-giving supply
of water. They begin to put forth new growth. The grass turns green and the
tree leaves look refreshed. Like the deer that pants for water, I desire God’s presence.
I can only be refreshed and satisfied with his water.

Dear Father, thank
you for giving us the water of life through Jesus Christ. Empower us to thirst
enough that we will continually return to the source of life. I pray this in
the name of Jesus. AMEN

Be strong and
courageous today thirsting for God,