“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…”
– Psalm 42:1-2a
If you were to visit most exercise gyms, you will discover they are full with people who don’t want to pay the price of ignoring their bodies, but too often believers suffer from the opposite malady: an apparent unconcern with matters pertaining to their spiritual health. The soul of every believer should be yearning and longing “for the living God” (Psalm 42:2a.) In Psalms 42:1-2a, the Psalmist used a simile comparing his thirst for God to a deer’s thirst for water. He says: “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 a deer is thirsty, he will run at full speed until he eventually finds water. Deer realizes when he is thirsty; water is the only thing that will quench his thirst. When the deer finds the water, he will literally immerse himself into it. Deer will also run to the water when it senses it is in danger. Fear coupled with the physical strain of running, creates a strong desire for water. The Psalmist is picturing himself like a deer on the run, in desperate search of nourishment. As water is to a deer, so God’s presence should be for God’s people.
When believers are thirsty and their souls need nourishment, believers can go to God who is the only One that can satisfy our soul’s deepest thirst. (See Isaiah 55:1, John 7:38, Matthew 5:6.) Even when the enemy [Satan] pursues as a predator, believers can immerse themselves in God’s presence and find protection. Just as the deer knows intuitively where to find water when it is thirsty, so too believers must earnestly seek God for their spiritual nourishment. Does your soul pant for God? When there is no hunger for the presence of God, it is an indicator that something is wrong spiritually.
The following representative list of spiritual habits are provided to assist you in experiencing a deeper level of knowing God, thus contributing to your overall quest for living a healthier spiritual lifestyle:
Spend Quiet Time With God – Carve out time in your daily schedule for regular and consistent time with God in God’s presence and in God’s Word (at least 15-30 minutes is recommended). Time spent with God is always time well spent.
Prayer – Commune with God in prayer and meditation. Meditating on God’s Word leads to focusing more on the love of God, God’s works, and the things that are heavenly and elevating to the soul.
Journaling – Journaling is a record of how faithful God is. Record your spiritual journey and the daily examples of God’s providence.
Beloved, the bottom line is hewing to the recommendations for living a healthy spiritual lifestyle is a matter of choice and you can choose today to begin. Living a healthier spiritual lifestyle is a daily challenge, but remember life is lived just once. God’s people are encouraged to live it to the glory of God! (1 Corinthians 10:31.)
Next Week: Spring Into A Healthy Spiritual Lifestyle (Part 3)
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General Disclaimer: The writer has used her best efforts in preparation of this information. No representations or warranties for its contents, either expressed or implied, are offered. Neither the publisher nor the writer shall be liable in any way for readers’ efforts to apply, rely or utilize the information or recommendations presented herein as they may not be suitable for you or necessarily appropriate for every situation to which they may refer. This information is for educational purposes only. In some instances, this article contains the opinions, conclusions and/or recommendations of the writer. If you would like to contact Rev. Lester, write to her c/o P.O. Box 121, Brookfield, WI. 53008.
