As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? Ps. 42:1-2
Lord Jesus, the image of thirst is fresh in my mind, for after my 12-mile bike ride yesterday, I couldn’t screw off the top of my water bottle fast enough. Thirst is neither patient nor polite, and we’re usually quick to slake its unrelenting demand, one way or another. Thirst will not be denied.
Because this is true, we join the psalmist in crying out: Jesus, intensify our thirst for you. As a deer panting after streams of water, cause us to pant relentlessly after the unpolluted, un-distilled, never-ending brooks of your grace. Only the draft you draw, the potion you pour, the life-giving libation; only living water can satisfy this God-given thirst.
If we take up King David’s lament, “When can I go and meet with God?” You answer back without delay, “Right now, my beloved; do not wait. If you’re thirsty, come to me and drink.” “Whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:38).
If we should say, “But Jesus, where can we find you?” you answer back even quicker, “Not in the law, nor in your strivings; not in your labors, nor in your penance; not in your earnestness, nor in your self-loathing; not in your re-dedications, nor in your vain promises.”
“Come, fall into the rivers of my grace. Come, you who are thirsty, come and bring your poverty of heart, and I will make you rich in my love. Stand under the cascading waterfalls of my compassion. Open your heart wide to my affection, and I will fill you to overflowing with everything you need, and more than you want.”
Even so and evermore, Lord Jesus, make and keep us thirsty for you. Fill us afresh that we might overflow for the blessing of our neighbors. So very Amen we pray in your all-glorious and all-generous name
