Psalm 63:1, “Oh God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” (NIV)
We will reach for a soda, a cup of coffee or tea, but the real ‘refreshing of our soul’ is time with the Lord. My challenge for us today, is what are you seeking? What are you reaching out for?
I am trying to lose weight. It has been a ‘challenge’ since the first of the year. I am exercising, watching what I eat or snack on. But I am not so good at reaching for that ‘drink of water’. If it has a bit of juice in it, or a juice like flavor like cranberry or pomegranate, it is easier for me to drink it. All weight loss experts say, water is the key to loss. It purifies and detoxes the body and weight loss takes place rather quickly. So it if it works, why is it so hard to grab that glass, and do what is right?
That is not too different from our time with God. We make time for family, friends and coworkers, but find it very hard to cut out time for God. It is often not an easy choice for us.
The verse says, my body longs for you, that speaks of a desire, to have God so close and so intimate. A relationship, of choice. God I earnestly seek you. That is desire, for relationship.
Our world, in which we live and exist, is a dry and parched land. It offers very little for a ‘soul’ experience. Oh we can go to a special place for refreshment and rest. I love to go to the beach. I love to sit on an uneven log and take in and smell the freshness of the wind, water and ocean.
Watching the surf pounding forward and back with power and majestic strength. I listen in the quietness, for seagulls and children playing in the sand. I find it a great mystery how the powerful waves just ‘know’ how to crash and turn on rocks wet and cold. It refreshes me for a moment.
This verse is talking about a soul, so quenched and so parched. It longs for a cool glass of refreshment. God’s love, God’s spirit through the word, is refreshment to our soul.
God, you are my God. It reflects relationship. God I know you and long to see you and share time with you. Relationship, intimate and close.
Have you ever had a special friend in your life, a good friend. It has been a long time since you have seen them. You long for a time when you can share, catch up and enjoy each others stories. You wake up one day and you tell yourself, I have to see them. I have missed them greatly.
This is the feeling we ought to strive for with God.
Oh God I have SO missed you.
As we enter into the word, it refreshes our spirit. The soul becomes filled with life.
It is water that is refreshment, to our parched and weary lives.
May we challenge ourselves to sit. Drink in the word and allow it to seep into our lives, like a warm cup of tea. Our souls will feel refreshed.
