As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God (Psalm 42:1).
Does your soul desire the Lord God more than pleasure, relief from pain, or distress? Have you come to a place of intense longing for God? Has your soul come to need Him more than all else? If you answered in any way other than “yes” to these three questions, this message could start you toward full recovery of your promised blessings.
God is the creator of appetite and desire. Satan attempts to lead us astray by adversely affecting our appetites and/or desires. He tempts us to misuse them. We misuse them by over indulging, not indulging at all, or feeding and drinking at the wrong source.
David always responded to the Lord’s touch of intimacy. Pride, fear, selfishness, apathy, and ignorance are but a few of the things the devil uses to keep us from properly relating to the Lord Jesus. God has given us the ability and power to refuse evil and choose good through our relationship with the Lord Jesus. Therefore, let us follow the example of David who realized the promises of God for himself, his family, and nation. He said in Psalm 42:2 that “my soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” He thirsted for God and made sure we knew that his God is the only True and living God. One should always drink at the time of thirst from the proper fountain. Take a moment to think on the Lord and worship Him when prompted to do so by the Holy Spirit. It does not matter where you are or what you are doing. Seize that moment to drink of His Spirit and give Him that momentary glory which will surpass the moment. The result will be increased capacity for Christ Himself, which will never pass away.
Observe this man, David, who understood the pursuit of God and received the title of “a man after God’s own heart.” Look into the way he thinks. He said, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they continually say to me, where is your God?” (Psalm 42:2-3). His desire was greater than his opponents’ dissuasion. He desired the Lord more than his necessary food. That is what it means to put God first.
David continues in this Psalm to tell us how his heart for God increased. Put plainly, David was saying, “I went to the house of God with joy and praise. I always told myself to hope in God no matter what. I determined to praise Him disregarding my circumstances. I always remember the goodness of God. I keep in mind that He will command His loving kindness over me. I praise Him until my answer comes. He is the help of my countenance” (Psalm 42:4-11).
Develop this same attitude which has been given to you by the Spirit of God, and you will have a capacity for God that will carry you through any adversity.