Longing to be Near God

“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 

When I read those verses my heart is convicted. Do I desire to meet with God that much? Do I “pant” for the living water of God’s Word? Do I want to be close to God? I’ve been reading through the book of Psalms and find it easy to identify with those writers when they speak of their troubles and their cries for God’s help. Their strong desire to stay near God—not so much!  

I recently drove a 10-hour trip from my daughter’s home in TN to my home.  I know I didn’t drive that alone. God was with me. I like to imagine God sitting in the passenger seat as I drive. It helps me obey the speed limit, but it also helps me remember I can talk to Him while I travel. It is a comforting feeling having that visual in my mind, but it goes behind feelings. God is always with me and sometimes, I think, He must feel ignored. I forget to acknowledge His presence! 

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 84, “How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”  My dictionary defines the word “yearn” as “to feel a longing or craving.” Well, I sometimes crave chocolate more than God. I’m trying to be better at craving God. I keep my Bible on my breakfast table so there is no excuse for not opening it and reading what God has to say to me. And, yes, some days I feel a genuine longing to hear what He has to say.  I long for Him to sit near me and hold me with His strong arms. 

This journey of life is hard and without God’s presence it would be harder. Acknowledging His presence gives direction to my life. Listening to His Word and speaking with Him in prayer bring strength and peace to my life. Psalm 84 mentions the sparrow and the swallow building their nests near God’s dwelling place.  Can I do less than the birds? God, help me yearn to be near You and to thirst for Your Word as the deer pants for water! 

“Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you” (Psalm 84:4).