“As a deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?”
– Psalm 42:1-2
Do you feel such a powerful desire to experience God? What a beautiful and powerful image of a heart desperately longing to feel and experience God’s presence! As the Psalmist continues, we learn that this profound thirst stems from deep depression, sorrow, humiliation, and a sense that God is absent. This is a place many believers will experience during their lives.
It seems that God uses these times when He feels altogether absent to strengthen our faith, refining it through fire. He builds our love and desire for Him independent of “what has He done for me lately.” Then, when the spiritual breakthrough finally comes, His presence is more deeply appreciated. So, if you’re currently “in the desert”, pouring out tears, wondering where God is, and desperate for His presence, keep seeking Him!
God ultimately rewards those who seek Him. Those who learn to live by the certain knowledge of His love and presence, even when they can’t feel it, eventually develop a stronger and more impactful faith, along with an awareness of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness more precious than could ever be imagined. Keep thirsting for the Lord! Keep desiring His presence! Keep praying, even if it feels like those prayers are going nowhere! God is present. God is love. God is working, even in the desert!