As the deer pants for streams

As the deer pants for streams

"As the deer pants for streams of water—so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God!" Psalm 42:1-2

Here is a vivid image of strong desire—a poor deer that has just escaped from the pursuit of the hunters, fevered and parched—panting for the streams of water.

Just so, the counterpart is sometimes found in the experience of the Lord's people:
  harassed by earthly care and anxiety,
  hotly pursued by the great enemy,
  anguished by his darts, and
  distressed with fears through the weakness of faith
—the desire for relief, which can only be found in God, is like an ardent thirst! The fitting language of one in such a case is, "As the deer pants for streams of water—so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God!"

And, blessed be His name—He is near in the fullness of His grace to satisfy the thirsty one. A poor deer may thirst in vain for the streams of refreshing water—but a soul thirsting for the living God shall be satisfied!

For He has said, "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue fails for thirst—I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them."

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