Thirsty? That means longing for a drink, having a strong desire, deep longing for something, or should I say someone?
The psalmist writes:
1O God, you are my God, I seek you,
my soul thirsts for you.
My flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
I think I know what he means. One can have nearly everything that many people would desire, but without assurance that one is are walking with God, at least, if that one is me, there is that sense of lack, a desire, a wanting, a longing only relieved when my soul seeks the Lord.
Indeed, I tell God,
3Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
4So I will bless you as long as I live.
I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
Then I feel really satisfied, and this satisfaction comes even when I haven’t got it all, when material comforts or even the supportive presence of others are lacking. If you know what I mean, then together we understand the testimony here:
5My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast.
Yes, one doesn’t have to accumulate riches or collect the accolades that often present themselves as evidence of success.
Maybe you can say, ‘I’ve been there, done that, and so I know that there’s more to life than that. I know there’s a deeper sense of satisfaction that comes when I am in God’s place for me, when I am fulfilling the purpose for which I was created”.
And sometimes, the realisation doesn’t come until we find the space to be along with God, when, like the psalmist we can say,
6when I think of you on my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night.
There’s a reason why its good to be alone with God when you can get the space to reflect on the goodness of God and like the psalmist affirm
7for you have been my help,
and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
So, it’s OK to be thirsty, that is, to have that longing for the divine presence near you. Long to be alone with God. Too much good stuff goes unnoticed when one does not get the space for reflection.
Being crowded all the time may cause us to see and feel only the pressure of the crowd, and then it might just seem that the pressure of injustice and greed and bad stuff will weigh us down. And we might not recognise that those who seek evil for us and others – liars, etc., as the psalmist lists them- such “jackals” will be outdone while those who long for God will find that longing filled with joy and peace that cannot be easily explained.
Hunger and thirst for God’s presence. Nutten wring wid dat!