My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?¹

Do you look forward to Sundays? The Lord's Day? The day to gather in God's house to worship the Almighty? Do you thirst for your quiet time with the Lord, where you can just sit and bask in his presence? I hope the answer is YES!

Throughout the Psalms we see David on a roller coaster of emotions when it comes to his relationship with the Lord. Sometimes he was high on the mountain tops openly praising God for his marvelous works, and other times he was in the depths of despair, wallowing in his pity and begging God for mercy. In Psalm 42, David was lamenting once again, but this time with just cause; circumstances were keeping him from being able to worship freely in the sanctuary and he missed it greatly! He compares himself to a parched deer at the opening of this chapter. At first, I imagined an animal who was merely out of breath, tongue hanging out, as he searched for a cool drink. However, deer don't huff and puff like a puppy who's been running in circles; they grunt, blow, wheeze, and sometimes their bodies shiver in convulsions. Deer become distressed and disoriented as they desperately search for water. David was desperate to be in God's House again. He could have gone anywhere to find the presence of the Lord, but the fact that he was denied entrance to the sanctuary was excruciating for him.

Many of us had similar feelings when the recent pandemic closed our church doors. Worshiping online and on our own just didn't quench our thirst the way LIVE Sunday prayer and worship does. The preacher's admonishing and encouragement just didn't hit home the same way. As Christians, we need to be in the Lord's presence continually. Quenching our spiritual thirst with His Living Water is absolutely vital for our spiritual and physical health. If circumstances are keeping you from worshiping in the house of the Lord, you can seek his presence right where you are. Make your home or workspace your sanctuary; play some uplifting worship music, open God's Word, and allow the Holy Spirit to quench your thirsty soul.  When can I go and meet with God? (v.2) The answer is: Right Now! God is waiting to meet you too.

Suggested Prayer: Lord God, I need a cool drink from your Living Water today. I feel parched and my soul needs refreshing. So, I come before you right now and ask that you quench my thirst with your presence. Holy Spirit, dwell with me today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

1.    Psalm 42:1-2 (NIV).

Today's Encounter was written by: Veronica B.