“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. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.” (Psalm 42:1–4)
The psalmist is in a dry and thirsty spiritual wilderness. Can you relate? I certainly can. There seems to be nothing exciting or motivating…just spiritual drudgery.
He remembers the good times. He remembers the joy of worship…the intimacy with God. He remembers the connection with fellow believers. And he longs to go back.
The rest of this psalm is a prayer, asking God for renewal. I love this song because it is an honest evaluation of the psalmist’s spiritual state. He refuses to fake it. He knows where he’s been and where he is, so he’s asking God for a personal revival.
This prayer ultimately ends in triumph: “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:11)
That coming triumph is why I’m so excited about our men’s conference on Saturday. A “multitude” of men will gather around God’s throne together. There won’t be any fakery. We’ll examine our souls honestly. And we’ll call out together for spiritual renewal.
Men, there’s still time to sign up. Women, encourage the men in your lives to join us. God is going to do a great thing in the hearts of men this weekend! Please join us! (and don’t let finances stop you – there are scholarships available.)
https://newlifedenton.org/event/mens-conference/
See you there!
