Our Soul’s Satisfaction in God

Oct 6

How do you talk to yourself, my love? How do you know what you feel? How can you trust it? Can I lead you deeper in so you know?

“As the deer longs for streams of water,/ so I long for you, O God./ I thirst for God, the living God./ When can I go and stand before him?” (Psalm 42: 1-2, NLT)

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While it can be helpful to be still, our bodies at rest, to engage with God’s heart for us, sometimes, moving can be good. Today, would you like to go on a walk outside as you pray? Would you like to invite God on the walk with you? Or, perhaps you’d prefer to go to the same holy place where you usually interact with Him. Let that place be sacred ground.

Whether you are moving or you are still–whether you are outside in nature or inside a building of some sort–let your soul quiet; let God fill it with His peace. He is for you. He is with you.

Let’s begin this encounter by inviting God into this moment now:

Lord, I need you now. I want you to fill me. I want your presence to guide me deeper into your heart for me. Help me to let everything go.

Pause here for a few moments. Take some deep breaths. Inhaling God’s peace. Exhaling every worry. Then, name–and give to God–every worry, concern, and fear on your mind and heart right now.

Father, I give you….

Then consecrate this time of prayer to Him.

I bring myself under your authority, giving you my mind, thoughts, ideas, and intentions. I give you my desires and expectations. I give you my emotions. Here, Lord–I am here. Thank You for being here.

Next, turn to David’s cry to God in Psalm 42. How is it your cry?

1 As the deer longs for streams of water,
so I long for you, O God.

2 I thirst for God, the living God.
When can I go and stand before him?

Picture the longing of this deer, imagining this scene for a few moments. How are you thirsty? For what are you longing now? Do you know?

Lord….

Our awareness of our thirsts, needs, and longings can vary. In verses 3-5, David talks to himself–his soul–naming what it is he is feeling and thinking and sharing the reasons why. He also calls himself to attention, urging his soul to turn its gaze to God.

3 Day and night I have only tears for food,
while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,
“Where is this God of yours?”

4 My heart is breaking
as I remember how it used to be:
I walked among the crowds of worshipers,
leading a great procession to the house of God,
singing for joy and giving thanks
amid the sound of a great celebration!

5 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!

What conversation can you have with your soul now? Engage with God, trusting him to help give you words to talk to your own soul. You might want to have this conversation by writing it down in your journal. Here are some questions to consider asking your soul:

Soul, what are you thinking and feeling? If you are sad, why? If you are happy, why? If you are angry, why? If you are jealous or envious, joy-filled or hopeful, anxious or excited…..why? I am listening…..

As David continues, in verse 6, he is honest with himself, naming his true feelings, then turns his gaze to God:

6 Now I am deeply discouraged,
but I will remember you—
even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan,
from the land of Mount Mizar.

7 I hear the tumult of the raging seas
as your waves and surging tides sweep over me.

8 But each day the Lord pours his unfailing love upon me,
and through each night I sing his songs,
praying to God who gives me life.

9 “O God my rock,” I cry,
“Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I wander around in grief,
oppressed by my enemies?”

10 Their taunts break my bones.
They scoff, “Where is this God of yours?”

11 Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again—
my Savior and my God!

What does your soul long to remember about God right now? Ask God to help you name the specific ways He has blessed you, His promises, and the goodness of his character…

God, I am…..
but I remember……

How does your soul desire to give God praise?

I praise you for….

Continue your conversation with God as you worship Him. Below are some songs to consider.

Amen.