A Dry River
“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?” - Psalm 42:1-2
I read a story years ago about a man named Tim Vanderveen who was in the hospital when a friend came to visit him. Tim had Leukemia, and his friend, Dr. Brown, asked how he was doing. Tim responded, “You know, I’ve learned that life is not like a VCR.” Brown said, “I don’t get it. What do you mean life is not like a VCR?” Tim responded, “It is not like a VCR because you cannot fast forward through the bad parts.”
Tim was right. Life doesn’t give us the privilege of grabbing the remote and bypassing the parts of our life that are not to our liking. Instead, we have to live through them and persevere through the process. That is what the author of Psalm 42 discovered. He is living through the bad parts of his life. There is much debate about who this author is, but regardless of who it is, whether he was in rebellion, exile, or mourning, it was written during a time of depression, discouragement, and great distance from God.
The writer talks about how he longs spiritually for the things of God. Psalm 42 is a lament song presumably written by someone who was formerly able to freely worship God in a gathered congregational setting. Whoever wrote it, at the time of its composition, something had changed!
The people found themselves dislocated from the religious life—the sense of sacred community—they had previously known and enjoyed. There is no doubt about it, these are words coming from a community that missed worship as they knew it. So the writer compares this sense of spiritual deficiency to something he has seen in the wild; a deer being at the brook of the river, only to find that the river has dried up.
Has your river gone dry? As you face the difficulties of life — the parts you cannot speed up, the tough and trying times — have you failed to connect with God in a meaningful way? If so, you probably feel as though your river has dried up. Though you are thirsty and in need of water, you have nowhere to draw it from. Thankfully, the God we serve is one of living water that never goes dry. Turn to Him, the only one who can quench your thirst!
I read a story years ago about a man named Tim Vanderveen who was in the hospital when a friend came to visit him. Tim had Leukemia, and his friend, Dr. Brown, asked how he was doing. Tim responded, “You know, I’ve learned that life is not like a VCR.” Brown said, “I don’t get it. What do you mean life is not like a VCR?” Tim responded, “It is not like a VCR because you cannot fast forward through the bad parts.”
Tim was right. Life doesn’t give us the privilege of grabbing the remote and bypassing the parts of our life that are not to our liking. Instead, we have to live through them and persevere through the process. That is what the author of Psalm 42 discovered. He is living through the bad parts of his life. There is much debate about who this author is, but regardless of who it is, whether he was in rebellion, exile, or mourning, it was written during a time of depression, discouragement, and great distance from God.
The writer talks about how he longs spiritually for the things of God. Psalm 42 is a lament song presumably written by someone who was formerly able to freely worship God in a gathered congregational setting. Whoever wrote it, at the time of its composition, something had changed!
The people found themselves dislocated from the religious life—the sense of sacred community—they had previously known and enjoyed. There is no doubt about it, these are words coming from a community that missed worship as they knew it. So the writer compares this sense of spiritual deficiency to something he has seen in the wild; a deer being at the brook of the river, only to find that the river has dried up.
Has your river gone dry? As you face the difficulties of life — the parts you cannot speed up, the tough and trying times — have you failed to connect with God in a meaningful way? If so, you probably feel as though your river has dried up. Though you are thirsty and in need of water, you have nowhere to draw it from. Thankfully, the God we serve is one of living water that never goes dry. Turn to Him, the only one who can quench your thirst!
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2024
January
Let it GoA Prayer for RestorationThe Power of Self-ForgivenessEmbracing FreedomFrom Transgression to RedemptionRelease and FreedomWisdom in ReflectionBlessed Assurance in ForgivenessEmbracing Divine RestTrusting in the WaitingEmbracing Peace in Unresolved MomentsMoving Forward Without ClosureA New Chapter AwaitsRefocusing for a New ChapterThe Danger of Looking BackLet God Be Your DefenseGod's Victory, Not OursThe Author of Your New ChapterThe Faithful Promise KeeperA Promise UnveiledThe Urgency of ObedienceThe University of AdversityThriving in AdversityForging the Future YouTransformative Power of AdversityThe Role of ResilienceThe Gift of EmpathyChanging PerspectiveGod's Purpose in Your AdversityThe Anchoring Power of TrustConsistent in Prayer, Unwavering in Praise
February
Navigating Life's JourneyLessons from the Prodigal SonStaying on TrackA Lesson in PatienceTrusting in God's TimingAvoiding the DriftChoosing Your Company WiselyThe Impact of Your Inner CircleThe Call to Responsible StewardshipFrom Rock Bottom to RedemptionGetting My Life Back On TrackWholeness Beyond Rock BottomWaking Up to ResponsibilityFacing the FactsOnly God Can Make Life Worth Living You Can Do ItYour Transformation MattersBreaking Free from ShameGod's Unwavering CareThe Good ShepherdThe Shepherd Who ProvidesFinding Refuge in God's ProtectionGod's Omnipotent ProtectionGod's Unseen ProtectionOverflowing BlessingsA Unique LoveA Divine ExchangeThe Power in His Precious BloodFrom Trials to Praise
March
Cleansing Body, Mind, and SpiritDetoxifying the MindDetoxifying for Spiritual EmpowermentThe Promise of God's PresenceWalking Purely Under God's ProtectionEmbracing God's Promise of RedemptionEmbracing God's Promise of ReconciliationThe Blessing of God's Adoption and ProvisionGod Desires RelationshipGod's Unconditional LoveGod's Gift of GraceNot OptionalPromises for the ChosenVIP Status in the KingdomThe Necessity of Cleansing for Kingdom CitizensThe Power WithinFinding Peace Beyond the PastHealing WoundsCleansing the TempleUnpacking the Trauma WithinHealing from WithinThe Promise of HealingBeyond the MindFinding Safety in Your BodyThe Power of a WishThe Ultimate WishBeyond Religious PerformanceBeyond Personal AchievementTrue Gain in Knowing ChristKnowing Christ DeeplyThe Power of His Resurrection
No Comments