Time to Gulp

Psalm 63:1-8

O God, you are my God. I long for you.

My soul thirsts for you,
my flesh yearns for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
Yes, in the sanctuary I have seen you,
and witnessed your power and splendor.
Because experiencing your loyal love is better than life itself,
my lips will praise you.
For this reason I will praise you while I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
As with choice meat you satisfy my soul.
My mouth joyfully praises you,
whenever I remember you on my bed,
and think about you during the nighttime hours.
For you are my deliverer;
under your wings I rejoice.
My soul pursues you;
your right hand upholds me.

Reflection

  

     I can recognize thirst. My family makes fun of me because I tend to drink a lot all at once. I am not much of a sipper. I tend to forget to drink while I am busy. Then I get thirsty and gulp to catch up. Yet, I haven't been in many scenario's when I couldn't get a drink after a few hours of thirst. There was that one time in the land of the mouse we were told to swallow our spit...

     After the typical connection with thirst, I have to say that I don't exactly get this Psalm. I am always thirsty for God. David is believed to have written this when he was in the wilderness. I am thirsty for God everywhere. Yes, of course I long for worship and all things "fill my cup" in church buildings and grounds. BUT, I have only ever felt God's presence in my spirit, in my being. I haven't ever been filled up so much that I could say I have SEEN God. The thought actually makes me feel a bit of holy jealousy. I thought Jesus said that no one has actually seen God. So, I think we have to assume that he was referring to seeing the Holy of Holies, the representation of God's closeness. I do thirst for that, too.

     

Loving God,

Come to our thirstiness. We also long to know you and see your goodness and glory in our lives. We want to be quenched by your overflowing mercy. We don't deserve to see you or know you so well, but in Jesus, we plead for it. We pray for all those who are in deep states of need... those who are sick or suffering...those who are grieving...the people of Ukraine who thirst for liberty and peace...all that we lift before you we know you are able to fill to the brim! In your eternal flowing Name of love, we pray, Amen.