“You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands.”
Psalm 63:1-4 (New International Version)
One of the essential nutrients for our bodies is water. After all, the majority of our body is made up of water. And we cannot go for long periods of time without it. Think about the number of times you have been thirsty. While there are so many choices of “thirst quenchers” nothing feels as good as just plain water. Even if we say “I don’t like plain water”, we know that there are times when Coke, Pepsi, Starbuck’s or Jim Beam just don’t quite satisfy like that “plain, old water” does.
The writer of this Psalm alludes to that feeling of being in a dry parched land where there is no water. The physical need for water is great. He uses this analogy because the people of his time (and we) know what its like to be thirsty and can relate to his example.
To be “thirsty” for God is very similar. We feel as though our lives are out of control, we can’t seem to find answers, or know peace……all examples of being thirsty for God. The season of Lent is where we take a look at our lives and how we might work to “quench” our thirst for God. Maybe we need to expand our time of prayer and/or worship. Maybe we need to study more. Maybe we need to find more opportunities to be the living presence of God in the world. For each of us, that thirst is different.
Once we discover what it is, we must be diligent in our efforts to find that “refreshing spring” that is offered without price – God’s love and grace. As the Psalmist testifies…..”Your (God’s) love is better than life”. That’s a true thirst quencher for all of the dry, parched places life finds us!
The Psalms of Lent remind us that God is always with us, surrounds us with love and care and keeps us in moments of distress and challenge.
PRAYER: Life-Giving Water, we are in need of Your love and grace to quench our thirst. Meet us at the places we need you most….the dry and parched places life takes us. And we will always give You praise. Amen.