Longing for God

God's Creative Word
The Word Is Here and Now
Woman of Samaria

Psalm 42

The Message

A psalm of the sons of Korah

 ^1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks from the creek;
   I want to drink God,
      deep draughts of God.
   I'm thirsty for God-alive.
   I wonder, "Will I ever make it—
      arrive and drink in God's presence?"
   I'm on a diet of tears—
      tears for breakfast, tears for supper.
   All day long
      people knock at my door,
   Pestering,
      "Where is this God of yours?"

 ⁴ These are the things I go over and over,
      emptying out the pockets of my life.
   I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd,
      right out in front,
   Leading them all,
      eager to arrive and worship,
   Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving—
      celebrating, all of us, God's feast!

 ⁵ Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
      Why are you crying the blues?
   Fix my eyes on God—
      soon I'll be praising again.
   He puts a smile on my face.
      He's my God.

 ^6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
      everything I know of you,
   From Jordan depths to Hermon heights,
      including Mount Mizar.
   Chaos calls to chaos,
      to the tune of whitewater rapids.
   Your breaking surf, your thundering breakers
      crash and crush me.
   Then God promises to love me all day,
      sing songs all through the night!
      My life is God's prayer.

 ^9-10 Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God,
      "Why did you let me down?
   Why am I walking around in tears,
      harassed by enemies?"
   They're out for the kill, these
      tormentors with their obscenities,
   Taunting day after day,
      "Where is this God of yours?"

 ¹¹ Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
      Why are you crying the blues?
   Fix my eyes on God—
      soon I'll be praising again.
   He puts a smile on my face.
      He's my God.

For Reflection 

Sometimes I ask God, Why?  Why is there so much war, so much pain, so much fear in this world?  How can your people profess faith in you and not be changed?  Why does greed and other evil seem to dominate? 

Then I realize that it is not you, but I who is to blame. I am the one who is aware of your deep desire for reconciliation.  It is I who has committed himself to obey your direction.  It is I who is obligated to follow your will obediently.  It is I.  I am responsible to effect what I can.  I am an agent for change.   It is I.


After  the Christ event, truth became knowable.

Pray

that God will cheer you on.  Pray for the wisdom to understand that you are God's agent for change.  Pray for humility and humble action. Pray that God will fix your eyes on His promise.  Pray that you never forget where God is.  Seek Him out often for his guidance, comfort and strength.