Psalm 42:1-2 – 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?
Dear Jesus, when weariness begins to outlast grace and heaviness feels more real than hope—when our theology of grace is better than our current experience of grace, it is you we need. It is you we crave, Lord. Thank you for answering our pants with this hope: “Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me!” (Jn.7:37). Your welcome is the kiss we need today, Lord.
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” – Whether it’s the devil, the culture, or our unbelief—Jesus, we’re tired of the chorus that keeps calling your faithfulness, care, love, and into question.
4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival. – Memories of days when we felt your heart enflaming presence can mock and shame us, but today they beckon and thrill us. Even in this moment, we hear your Spirit turning up the volume on your words to us, “Weary, burdened ones—come to me and I will give you rest.” (Matt.11:28). Thank you Jesus, thank you.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation. – Jesus, you know the details of our weariness and bitterness, our aching hearts and pity parties. Because of the Gospel, hope is always the order of any day—including this day. Hallelujah, and So Very Amen.