Tag Archive for: thirsty

Thirsting for more

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“O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water…” (Psalm 63:1).

Thirsting for something more? Something that satisfies your longing? Maybe you’ve tried filling the emptiness with a spouse, friend, child, work, exercise, hobbies. Been there and done that, but none of those ever fully quench that deep-seated hunger and thirst for something lasting. I always come up short and lacking. 

David wrote this 63rd Psalm while in the Desert of Judah. He knew what it meant to be betrayed by family members and to betray, to lust after a woman, and even murder. Through it all, he learned to seek God—his sole source of refuge and forgiveness. God alone satisfies wholly and completely. He loves us unconditionally. He knows us better than we know ourselves; yet still loves us! That’s the most amazing news of all.

Prayer:  Thank you, God, for being my oasis in times of drought and trouble. You are my one constant I can count on day after day.

Ask:  Are you lonely, empty, or bitter? Have you tried seeking fulfillment with other methods and still come up empty? Isn’t it time you gave God a chance to put the pieces of your life back together?

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Are you thirsty?

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             Last summer my body became extremely dehydrated and I ended up in the hospital attached to IVs. The medical staff pumped bag after bag of various liquids to boost my levels of fluid and electrolytes. They continued to monitor every part of my body until all remained stabilized. The whole ordeal proved painful, lengthy, and costly. My family and I were extremely thankful for quality health care right near our home and professionals who saved my life.

            After that ordeal, I remain keenly aware of the necessity of drinking lots of fluids. I always carry with me either a fluid replacement supplement such as Gatorade or water. I never leave home without a bottle.

            Applying that same theory for everyday life and living, when I become thirsty or hungry longing for acceptance and understanding, I know where to find it. The only true source of comfort is in God. He’s the only one who can fully satisfy my every need. True, my friends and family provide love as much as humanly possible. But only God’s love is unselfish and 100% unconditional.

Prayer:  Help me come to you first when I ache with desire. Thank you, God, for satisfying my soul when others may try, but fail to me my inner needs.

Ask:  Are you thirsty today? Do you long for someone to fill that empty void of loneliness or sorrow?

Thirst no more: come to the water that satisfies! 

 “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.” – Psalm 63:1, a psalm of David when he was in the Desert of Judah. 

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Are you thirsty?

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“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. 

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?  Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare…

 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.  You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands” (Isaiah 55). 

Are you thirsty? I am. I crave a word from God, a sign that I’m on the right track. A sign that he’s around and knows the turmoil I feel.  I long for satisifing labor, to eat what is good, and sense delight in my soul. It seems as though I’m in a dry and thirsty land right now, with no sign of refreshment or nourishment close by. As David cries out in the Psalms, where are you God? Have you deserted me? Where can I go to find respite for my soul?

Yet, you tell me that your word goes forth and will not return void. Your word will accomplish the purpose you desire. I long to go out in joy and be led forth in peace, to burst out in grateful song and clap my hands.

Prayer: Dear God, I seek you now. I call on you for help and a refuge away from the storms of life. Have mercy on me, O God. I know you’ll lavish your forgiveness on me if I turn to you in my distress. Your thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. But I trust in you even when I cannot see you or the ways you have chosen for me. I still put my trust in you. You are God, and I am not.

Ask: Are you in a dark tunnel and cannot see any light ahead? Does it feel as though everyone and everything is against you? Can you hang on for just another day until God’s purpose is revealed?

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