Thirsty Soul

12-28-2010

Thirsty Soul by Boyd Bailey


“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?” Psalm 42:1-2

A thirsty soul comes from God, and a thirsty soul is satisfied by God. This is how He has wired us. He designed us spiritually like He has designed us physically. We are dependent on forces outside of ourselves for satisfaction. There are not many sensations that cause a more desperate feeling than a craving for water.
And, on the contrary, there are few things more refreshing than ice-cold water on a hot and sultry summer day. When your body is depleted of fluids due to physical exertion, it screams out for some relief. If you continue in this state of heat exhaustion, you will collapse from dehydration.

Our soul behaves the same way. We run through life hurried and empty. Our heated up emotions and our thirsty soul cries out for relief, but we continue to plow through the days without stopping for God. Our busyness of life turns into barrenness of soul. The energy is gone, the joy is depleted and our gratitude account is overdrawn.

We have hit a wall and, as a consequence, spiritual dehydration occurs. Then, as a necessity, we are forced to get time with God. It may happen through an illness, depression, divorce or the loss of a job. But why wait for a crisis to force us to God? He is available now. He is available daily—even moment by moment—to satisfy the longing of your soul. Soul thirst will never go away.

It is one of God’s built-in mechanisms of dependency. Wise is the man or woman who drinks often from God’s wellspring of living water. We need at least a “gallon” of God each day. Yet, if the truth be known, we haphazardly splash down a cup of God like an out-of-shape runner battling up a long and treacherous hill.

How refreshing it is to sit by the banks of God’s stream of living water. His water is wet, cool and refreshing. Life can be like a blistering sun. It beats down on you and, at times, you feel uncovered without a hat or sunglasses. God, on the other hand, provides shade and protection. He invites you to be still, listen and wait on Him.

Let His Word feed your soul with a balanced diet of commands, encouragement and praise. Listen intently to His voice through prayer. He loves you and He wants to tell you this often. Jesus satisfies. The world offers satisfaction but fails miserably. Its offer is a farce, and a great deception. Jesus is simple and direct.

“Drink of me,” He says, “and you will never thirst again.” What a promise! The satisfying Jesus is there for the taking. The longing within your soul is for Him. He wants to be your best friend. Let Him satisfy you first. Satisfaction is not from Jesus plus something else. It is not Jesus plus work, money or play. Satisfaction is Jesus alone. Date Jesus. Put Him on your calendar as a priority.

Make Jesus a priority and then keep your commitment. Meet with Him often. This is His heart and passion for you. He wants to satisfy your soul. Jesus is the great satisfier. You “can’t get no satisfaction” outside of Christ. Drink often from the well of God. Draw deep from His waters. Let Christ quench your thirsty soul!