DATE WRITTEN: Wednesday, 2021-07-28
WRITTEN AT: Hattiesburg, MS

SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 42:1-2
TRANSLATION: Contemporary English Version (CEV)

BIBLE TEXT: ¹ As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. ² In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God.…

APPLICATION: God created us with great purpose, and with a built-in desire to recognize and worship the God of this universe. No matter how much we struggle with various worldly concerns, we can look around us and hear the rustling brook and the chirping birds that are as happy as they could possible be. Regardless of our commitment in life regarding salvation, we all know deep inside that there is a God and that He loves us unconditionally – beyond anyone, or anything that we could possibly understand. For the person struggling with believing in God, that quickly changes when they are faced with a challenge bigger than anything they have witnessed here on earth in their lifetime. David had struggled with a lot, and every time he felt like he was safe, another of King Saul’s men would search him out. I believe that are representative of David, when we feel like we are going through a spell of quiet from God. We might often feel like God has retired, or just ignoring us. But it could very well be that God is creating such a thirst inside of us, that we will be forced to evaluate our inner soul and not only find the things that are keeping us away from a closer relationship with God, but also helping us to more deeply desire our Creator. Friends, I believe that Satan’s number one priority is to pull us away from God, whereas God’s priority is to love us and comfort us into a peace that surpasses all understanding. This develops a desire in our soul to want more of our Master, and to draw close to Him so that He may bless, and bless our every desire and move. In your mind today, who has control? Is Satan winning the battle, or are you in much the same mode as David where you are longing for more of our God? Satan is bound to continue leading you along the path to Hell and eternal damnation, while God loves His creation and wants your soul to desire more of Him and eternity in heaven with He and His precious Son. For as much as lies within you dear friend, whom do you think will win your soul? My faithful and heartfelt desire is that you will be by my side around the throne of God in Heaven. I pray that your soul will burn deep inside for more of Jesus Christ and to know Him intimately. Whenever you are feeling far from God, try running a test by evaluating what your soul is panting for. If the answer is not Jesus Christ, then let me encourage you to refresh your commitment to Him, read His Word faithfully and reach out to Him in prayer. He will hear your heart’s cry and fill you with more of Himself.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: Just as a deer pants for water in a dry and thirsty land, so will we desperately desire God when we have drifted away from Him, or need more of Him.

PRAYER: Praise You Lord, there is something about our King that our hearts burn for. We are reminded daily that we can’t handle this old wicked and cruel world, so we reach out to You, Lord, in desperation, knowing that You can supply all our needs and encourage us beyond anything that this old world throws at us. Please give us the assurance to go on, knowing that the King of all kings and Lord of all lords has our hand and will keep us until that day we are called home to glory! Oh, What a day that will be! AMEN!

FOOTNOTE: There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog might indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Word and read more, or you may freely subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. You may also visit me on Spotify and listen to Nuggets while you’re out and about. I would encourage you to find a church home near by your home, and attend as frequently as you could. Get to know God, and allow His people to encourage and strengthen you in your Christian walk, while making every effort to be a blessing to them. God is at work among His people! Please consider growing in your faith, as you worship with fellow believers!