Daily devotional · March 15
Thirsty for God
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear in God’s presence? My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things come to mind as I pour out my soul: how I walked with the multitude, leading the festive procession to the house of God with shouts of joy and praise. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence. O my God, my soul despairs within me. Therefore I remember You from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon— even from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me. The LORD decrees His loving devotion by day, and at night His song is with me as a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God my Rock, “Why have You forgotten me? Why must I walk in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?” Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.”
The psalmist compares his longing for God to a deer panting for streams of water. He is in a low place, remembering happier days of worship, mocked by those who ask where his God is. His tears have been his food. Yet the most honest moment comes when he talks to himself: why are you downcast, my soul? Put your hope in God. He does not pretend the sadness away, but he refuses to let it have the last word. Faith here is not the absence of sorrow; it is the stubborn direction of the heart toward God in the middle of it. If you are in a season of spiritual dryness, take comfort that even psalm writers felt it. Today, speak to your own soul as he does. Name your sadness honestly, then remind yourself of one thing God has done. If the heaviness lingers for weeks, please talk with a pastor or counselor.
Prayer
God, my soul thirsts for You. Refresh me, and help me hope when I feel low. Amen.

