THIRSTY? PSALMS 42:1-4, 11 Message from Ellen Mortimore

​Psalms – 5 books    1-150   (found approx. 1/2 way in Bible  We did hands on bible for a change.)
  Focus’ largely on human feelings – the writer’s  ups & downs – range of emotions, some uplifting, others downright depressing – but all are REAL.  The different writers bare their souls to God – and us, as readers.    LIKE ENTRIES IN A DIARY.  
Considered the hymnbook and prayer book of the Bible used by the Israel people in their worship.   Prayers, pleas, petitions, thanksgiving.  (also referenced by Jesus and NT writers.    (“NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I’VE SEEN” p520,v.1)
73 of the Psalms are attributed to David  (reference Psalm 3)
PSALM 119 is the longest chapter in ALL of the Bible.  (Look at)  It is structured alphabetically, with a stanza for each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.  For example ALEPH is like our letter A.
Background of todays’ scripture: It appears the writer was living in a foreign land surrounded by foreign gods.  He/She  ( the reference of deer could be female!!) felt cut off from the presence and worship of the Lord.  It begins with the cry of a loyal worshiper who by necessity is far away from the Jerusalem temple. He/She recalls how wonderful it was to start at the city gate, 3 or 4 times a year “leading the pack”   proceeding down the streets, and going right on into the temple courtyard.  

Read scripture Psalm 42: 1-4, 11  
Seen any deer lately?!?
I’d venture to say that all of us have experienced “dry times” in our spiritual journeys, times when we feel that God has gone elsewhere and left no forwarding address.  Our soul feels arid, as does the psalmist’s. “When you feel like God has left you, look at where you are.  Perhaps it’s not God who has moved.”  The psalmist remembers with a heartfelt longing what it was like to be in the multitude of believers going to ‘the house of God’  Without the ability to praise and worship God, the psalmist’s life feels as barren as a desert.”
Will the “deer” need to return to a stream of cool water?  When you drink water will you never thirst again?    Foolish question.  So, with Christ, the fountain of living water, we continue to drench our very soul (like stepping into the shower) with his words, guidance and love.   
“FILL MY CUP, LORD” P. 3093 verse 1 & 3  (Remember the Woman at the Well?)
The editor of GUIDEPOSTS magazine wrote in the June/July publication how he was addicted to indoor cycling (sometimes 3 times a day) to the place where it had taken the place of God in his life. Eventually, after hip surgery and the pandemic, he brought it under control putting God back where He belonged.  He says, “What strikes me, though, is that we all can sometimes put something between ourselves and God, something that feels innocuous but can take over too much of our lives.  Yes, we all have our passions,[ our thirsts].  They only become a problem when they get in the way or our passion [THIRST] for God.
What water is to the deer, God is to you and me.  God is forever at work in your and my life – AND full of surprises.  He remains faithful but never predictable!! , 
So, how am I, how are you, drinking this “living water”?  Sipping – seldom drinking- gulping?  
“AS THE DEER” (10:30)
As our trucks and cars need fuel in order to travel down the road, so we need an “infilling” daily, hourly, moment by moment as we journey together down life’s road.  So, how about DAILY visiting God’s Gas Station and say “Fill ‘er up!”