Thirsty and Thankful

So glad you can join me for today's devotional from Our Daily Bread. Our reading, titled Thirsty and Thankful, was written by John Blaise. Two friends and I were checking off a bucket list item, hiking the Grand Canyon. We wondered if we had enough water as we started out our hike, and it ran out fast.

We were completely out of water, with still a ways to go to reach the rim. Panting mixed with praying set in. Then we rounded a corner and what we maintain as a miracle happened. We spotted three water bottles tucked in a cleft in the rock with a note, knew you'd need this, enjoy.

We looked at each other in disbelief, whispered a thank you to God, took a couple of much needed sips and then set out on the last stretch. I've never been so thirsty and thankful in my life. The writer of Psalm 42 didn't have a Grand Canyon experience, but it's clear he knew how a deer acts when thirsty and possibly scared. The deer pants, a word that brings to mind thirst and hunger, to the point where if something doesn't change, you are afraid you might die. The Psalmist equates the deer's degree of thirst to his desire for God. So my soul pants for you, my God. Like much needed water, God is our ever-present help. We pant for him because he brings renewed strength and refreshment to our weary lives, equipping us for whatever the day's journey holds.

Our scripture reading for today is from Psalm 42 verses 1 through 5. 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? My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, Where is your God? These things I remember as I pour out my soul, how I used to go to the house of God, under the protection of the Mighty One, with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. Why my soul are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Would you join me in prayer? Loving God, thank you for the renewed strength we experience as you fill our life. Forgive us for looking to any other source but you. We love you, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.