June 4, 2024
READ: Psalm 42: (Focus vs.1-5)
MEMORY VERSE
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.” Psalm 42:1
BACKGROUND
Two friends and I were checking off a bucket list item—hiking the Grand Canyon. We wondered if we had enough water as we started out our hike, and it ran out fast. We were completely out of water with still a ways to go to reach the rim.
Panting, mixed with praying, set in. Then we rounded a corner and what we maintain as a miracle happened. We spotted three water bottles tucked in a cleft in the rock with a note: “Knew you’d need this. Enjoy!”
We looked at each other in disbelief, whispered a thank-you to God, took a couple of much-needed sips, and then set out on the last stretch. I’ve never been so thirsty—and thankful—in my life.
The psalmist didn’t have a Grand Canyon experience, but it’s clear he knew how a deer acts when thirsty and possibly scared. The deer “pants” (Psalm 42:1), a word that brings to mind thirst and hunger, to the point where if something doesn’t change, you’re afraid you might die.
The psalmist equates the deer’s degree of thirst to his desire for God: “so my soul pants for you, my God” (v. 1).
Like much-needed water, God is our ever-present help. We pant for Him because He brings renewed strength and refreshment to our weary lives, equipping us for whatever the day’s journey holds.
By: John Blase
INSIGHT
Psalm 42 is the first of eleven psalms attributed to the sons of Korah (also Psalms 44-49; 84-85; 87-88). But who were they?
The word sons here means descendants—not direct sons—of a man named Korah, who was part of a conspiracy to overthrow Moses’ leadership in the wilderness wanderings of the Exodus.
Korah (of the tribe of Levi), Dathan, Abiram, and On—along with 250 respected community leaders—joined together in this conspiracy (Numbers 16:1-3).
How ironic that years later, Korah’s descendants would follow the intended path of the Levites (see ch. 18) to be among the worship leaders of the nation. For a voice of dissension to pave the way for voices of worship is a beautifully redemptive story.
By: Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
When have you been intensely thirsty or hungry, and scared? Why should you be longing for God’s presence?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“We pant for (God) because He brings renewed strength and refreshment to our weary lives, equipping us for whatever the day’s journey holds.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“If you don’t feel strong desires for the manifestation of the glory of GOD, it’s not because you have drunk deeply and are satisfied. It’s because you have nibbled so long at the table of the world…” John Piper
PRAYER
“Loving God, thank You for the renewed strength I experience as You fill my life. Forgive me for looking to any other source but You.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“GUIDE ME O THOU GREAT REDEEMER”
Guide me, O my great Redeemer,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but You are mighty;
Hold me with Your powerful hand.
Bread of heaven, bread of heaven,
Feed me now and evermore,
Feed me now and evermore.
Open now the crystal fountain,
Where the healing waters flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Ever be my strength and shield,
Ever be my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside.
Death of death, and hell’s Destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan’s side.
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever sing to You,
I will ever sing to You.
|READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
PSALMS 131
