1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng.
5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
6 My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.
Psalm 42:1-7
Questions for Reflection:
What are the symptoms that reveal your soul is thirsty for God?
In what way is asking your soul questions like, "Why are you downcast?" helpful?
What are the things that keep you in the "shallows" instead of allowing the deep of God speak into the deep of you?
Prayer of the Week:
Almighty God and Father, as we celebrate this week of the 4th of July we recognize that You have given us this good land as our heritage. Grant that we remember Your generosity and constantly do Your will.
Bless our land with honest industry, truthful education, and an honorable way of life.
Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil course of action.
Grant that we, who came from many nations with many different languages, may become a united people.
Support us in defending our liberties, and give those to whom we have entrusted the authority of government the spirit of wisdom, that there may be justice and peace in our land. When times are prosperous, may our hearts be thankful, and in troubled times do not let our trust in You fail.
Lord, keep this nation under Your care.
Bless the leaders of our land that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to the other nations of the earth.
Grant that we may choose trustworthy leaders, contribute to wise decisions for the general welfare, and serve You faithfully in our generation.
As we move into the second half of the summer lead us as individuals, families and a church to hear and respond to Your gracious call on our souls, “Come to Me ... and I will give you rest”. Help us respond to that gracious call with this simple request from our hearts, “Restore my soul, Jesus, Restore my soul.”
Amen
