I found out this past week what it means to be thirsty.
I mean, really thirsty.
On Monday morning I woke up feeling “off.” We had just returned from a wonderful vacation, and I figured my body was exhausted from the hassle of traveling. As the week progressed, things worsened physically for me. By Thursday afternoon, I could barely stand and was dehydrated. So off to the ER I went.
If you have ever been to the ER, you can imagine what happened next.
Yes, 2 hours later, I continued to sit in the waiting room. By the time a bed became available, I had become faint, and I thirsted. I was desperate for water. It was all I could think about, yet I had to wait for the water and its nourishment.
A One Degree Moment
While I was laying there in the ER and praying (ok, complaining) to God about my illness, Psalm 63:1 came to mind:
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
I have read this verse many times. I thought I understood what the psalmist meant. I lived in Arizona for 10 years, so I understand what it is like to be in a “land where there is no water.” I also try to pray daily. I do my Bible study lessons. I thirst for God, don’t I?
Wrong.
I have not been as “thirsty” for God as I had thought.
What I discovered while recovering
- First of all, I still do not like bed rest. I had to succumb to it during both of my pregnancies, and obviously had to attempt it again this week. (sigh)
- Secondly, despite the bed rest debacle, I received the blessing of learning what it means to be thirsty and to be faint in a physical sense. Why do I consider this a blessing? Because it forced me to ask myself the following questions:
Do I truly thirst and faint in a spiritual sense for God?
Do I refuse to leave His presence until I have experienced Him?
Am I truly desperate for Him or for what He can do for me?
My honest answers to these questions revealed that on “ER” types of days, I tend to be more earnest and eager for God than on days when things are going smoothly. Ouch. I am guilty of letting my circumstances influence my level of desire for God. Perhaps you can relate.
So my friend, are you thirsty for God today? If not, what are you thirsty for? Has it truly satisfied you in the past? How can we grow in our “thirst” for the Lord?
I welcome your thoughts. I am praying that we would grow to be spiritual experts in thirsting for God no matter what kind of day comes our way.
Lord, I thank You for being all we need. I thank You that when we cry to You, You will be found. I pray that You would satisfy the heart of the person reading these words. I pray that they would feel Your Presence. Help them to want You more and more and more. May their cup runneth over with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Thank you so much Tracy and so sorry to hear you were ill. Hope you are doing better. I too have felt thirsty lately and even found myself seeking after extremely uplifting songs today to worship and regain my “spiritual” strength. Ex. 15:2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.
Hi Kelley! Yes, I am doing much better-praise God. I love this verse from Exodus 15. As you probably know, God had just parted the Red Sea, so the verse you quoted is part of a hymn that Moses and the sons of Israel sung in celebration back to the Lord. I love the rest of this song, especially Ex. 15:18. Continue to exalt Him and keep sharing verses with us that speak to you. God’s Word is so powerful!
Good afternoon, well I am thinking and truly knowing in my heart that I too at very many times in my life have thought I was “thirsty” for our Lord, and then to came to understand that I had no idea what that really meant! Such as, do I really believe in my heart of hearts that if I lost everything and everyone dear to me, would my Lord Jesus truly be enough for me? Well, I can say He would be, yet in all honesty I find myself Praying that He would be! I know He loves and cherishes all of us with His unconditional love that He gives to each of us and I pray as I continue to walk this journey here, that I will start to really understand what it means to “thirst” after my Lord! Your word is a lamp to my feet and light for my path. Psalm 119:105….spending time in His Word helps me to realize how very much I need Him in my life! So blessed by your blog! Have a wonderful day in your Lord!
Tj: Thanks for stopping by and for your honesty. I totally understand what you mean when you “say” one thing, and “pray” another! I agree that the more time I spend in God’s Word, the more I realize I need Him! Keep the verses coming and have a blessed weekend!
Thirsting for God; interesting thing to contemplate. I know I want to thirst for Him, draw nearer to Him, feel His Presence, yet, what does that require on my part? These are good, right things for me to ponder and work out with my Father! Thank you for posing these questions. I pray you are taking care of yourself. I know how hard that can be! Can’t wait to “talk” to you again.
Thank you Adele. Abiding can be a challenge can’t it? God is gracious and patient as we “ponder” and work out our salvation, yes? Blessings as you remain in His Presence!