First Verse, a journey through the Psalms: Psalm 63

O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you.
My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you
in this parched and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1, NLT

dry and thirsty land

Here in Texas, we know dry.

When I moved here with my husband in 2011, the state experienced major drought conditions. The National Weather service said the year was the driest on record, and the second hottest.(http://www.cbsnews.com/news/2011-was-texas-driest-year-on-record/ AP January 7, 2012, 9:34 AM)

It felt like the entire land was in a slow broil. We were definitely thirsting and longing for rain.

When David compares this kind of desperation to his desire for God, I have to ask myself, have I desired God in the same way?

David wrote the Psalm during a period of time in the wilderness. And it wasn’t a vacation. He was running for his life. Persecuted. Hunted. Hated. Denied the promises God had made him. At least, for a season.

This life presents many wilderness experiences. When it does, how do we respond? With a closed, shaking fist? With crossed arms and a scowl? Or maybe throwing up our hands and walking away?

David responds a different way. He declares his faithfulness to God alone and cries out with the words search, thirst, and long. Because he knows in the midst of the most difficult trial, the lowest moment, the hardest struggle, God is his fountain of living water (Jeremiah 2:13), the One who gives living water (John 4:10), the one who quenches his thirst. When he experiences this living water, he will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within him, giving him eternal life (John 4:14).

But this living water is not just for David. Jesus tells us, it is for anyone who is thirsty. Anyone may come to him; anyone who believes in him may come and drink (John 7:37-38). Are you thirsty?

satisfied land

It is amazing the difference a little water can make. When the rain comes at the right time, flowers bloom in the wilderness, deserts become as green as the mountains, and land is transformed into beauty and splendor.

Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland. The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. (Isaiah 35:6-7)

Prayer

Heavenly Father, May my only thirst be for you. Because when I thirst for you, you fill me with living water, refreshing my soul, renewing my spirit, reviving me, like nothing else can.

About Jill English Johnston

God writes His story on every heart, if we only pause to read it. My heart has lived in a fantasy world since early childhood and am delighted that God has finally brought me to the place where I can bring the fantasies to life through story. I am currently working on a fantasy trilogy (of course) but I also post thoughts, reflections and (hopefully) inspiration to my website: tabletsofhumanhearts.wordpress.com I am a follower of the Rabbi Jesus, married to my best friend and inspiration, and the mother of three incredible children, one daughter and two sons, a son-in-love, a daughter-in-love and two adorable granddaughters. When not writing, I passionately pursue prayer, reading (never enough time to read them all!), and the outdoors. My husband and I both served in the US Navy and have lived/travelled through many states and all over Asia. We both still enjoy travelling, but we really love our home in New Braunfels, located at the Texas Hill Country.

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