TEXT: PSALM 42:1-2,4-6,8,11
1 (To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah.) As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
- O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.
8 . Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
11 .Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
INTRODUCTION:
vs 1-2. Here the psalmist is saying to the Lord that as the hart pants after the water brook, so he is panting after Him. He wanted something from God, something spiritual, something physical. He desired wisdom, knowledge and understanding to rule the nation. Although he had the things of the world, the place, position and properties, yet, he desired something the world could offer.
Psalm 61:1-2. The cry of the psalmist is not a silent one, but a loud one to God. Some keep their desires in their hearts, only meditating on them, not so with the psalmist. From the ends of the earth, from any part of the world he was, he poured out his heart to the Lord, begging Him to lead him to the rock that is higher than him.
Ch 63:1. Despite all the duties, the responsibilities ahead of him on a daily basis, David still took time to seek God. He was seeking God not for the physical reasons only, but for spiritual purpose.
The heart cry of the righteous:
Early in my life, profession, and ministry will I seek Thee. My heart, flesh longs after you. I want to see more of you, your power and glory.
Ch 84:2-7. David desired the living God. We serve a living God, not a dead God. Though we can worship God on our own, yet, we desire to be in His presence because there are some things we get in His presence we cannot get elsewhere. Whatever we learn in the house of God we still remember when we get to our offices, and places of businesses. We praise God everywhere, as if we are still in His house.
Those who seek God, who put their requests before God grow from strength to strength.
- THE PANTING AND THE PASSION OF A THIRSTY SOUL. Psalm 42:1-2
Here we see the expression of a soul panting after God.
How do we know a hart panting after the waters?
- By going in the direction of the water brooks, not up a tree, or towards the desert
- Because it is not going sluggishly but running towards the water
- By staying and drinking the water to the full.
A thirsting soul
- Will go towards the direction where he can find the word, will, way, grace, power and satisfaction of God
- He goes early and promptly to the presence of God, He will not be sluggish or lethargic
- He stays, patient, rests there, seeking the Lord, wanting more of the Lord. His heart and life is there. Whatever he has, he wants more. He wants to get to heaven when he dies.
Psalm 143:6-8. As you look at your life, and what other people seek after: money, position, wealth, landed and other properties, and other things that can make their lives comfortable, you see that they are not satisfied or fulfilled by these things. But as for you, you long for fellowship and intimacy with God because He is the only one who knows the destiny which He has planned for us. We mortals do not know the way wherein we should walk, so we lift our souls to God.
Isaiah 44:3-5. God Himself desires to pour waters of refreshing, revival and blessings upon us. (ch 55:1) All that thirst are being invited to the waters of life (vs 12) we shall have peace that passes all understanding, we shall rejoice. Amen.
Ch 48:18. Our peace shall be multiplied, and our righteousness as the waves of the sea (vs 21; 41:17-20).
Matthew 5:6. The righteousness will overflow, but it takes thirsting and panting after it. Righteousness at home, in the house of God, in our places of work and business, everywhere.
John7:37-39. When we are really thirsty, we go to the Lord in prayer. And our souls and spirits will be revived. Our bodies will be healed in cases of sicknesses.
Acts 2:33
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
Revelation 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
- THE PRAYER AND THE PRAISE OF A TRUSTING SOUL.Psalm 42:4-5,8
You cannot fill any container without opening the lid. If you decide to not open your mouth to pray, you will not get anything. Some people do not know that the house of God is a house of prayer. The day of the Lord is a holy day meant for worshiping and putting our requests before God. It is not a day to go to beaches on picnics or any other worldly pursuits.
Psalm 62:8. When there are challenges, when things are not going the way we want, as we pour out our hearts to God in prayer, we will not be denied.
Ch 46:1-5
– 1 (To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, A Song upon Alamoth.) God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
– 2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Some people are afraid of the situation of the country, of the economy, etc. We shall not be afraid.
– 3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
– 4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
– 5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
God will not be late on our case as we seek His face in Jesus name.
2 Chronicles 20:3,12. Jehoshaphat was initially afraid, but afterwards, he sought the face of the Lord. Messages of encouragement came to him. (vs 20-24) Problems, challenges, sorrow will not take songs of praise out of our mouths. Amen. Our enemies will help to destroy themselves and none of them shall escape. Amen.
Psalm 40:3-5
– 3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
What God will do in our lives, and in the lives of our family members, many shall hear them and trust in the Lord.
– 4 Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
– 5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
The goodness, wonderful works of God in us will not be countable. Amen. Isaiah 50:10
Romans 4:18-21. Abraham believed God. He hoped against hope. He was fully persuaded that what God has promised, He was able to perform. He eventually had the promise.
Acts 16:25-26. When we praise the Lord in adversity, SUDDENLY, our problems vanished away, the joy came, our burdens rolled away, our bodies are healed, the oppression vanishes away, the demonic powers are broken, the long awaited jobs come, SUDDENLY! Thank God, today is the day. Amen!
- THE PRIORITY AND THE PURSUIT OF A TRANSFORMED SOUL. Psalm 42:6,11;
My brother and sister, hope in God! Those problems you see today, you will see them no more!
Psalms 42:11. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Matthew 6:31-33. Seek first the kingdom of God, and all other things shall be added unto you. Let seeking God be your priority.
Romans 8:32. God who did not spare His Son Jesus Christ, but gave Him to us will also freely give us all things.
3 John 2
– Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
– You will prosper in everything you do. Your health will come back to the optimum in Jesus name. Your soul will prosper in Jesus. As you seek the Lord, you will find Him. Your soul should not be cast down or weary. You should not be tired, and think there is no hope. Nothing is over, you are starting afresh. New strength, power, courage, blessing, healing in your body, strength in your soul, power in your spirit, prosperity in your job, and the work of God will prosper in your hands in Jesus name. Amen.
Prayer:
– Pray for grace to seek God more, and that, as you seek God, you will see Him.
– Pray that your strength will be renewed on a daily basis
– Pray that God will bless and renew the spiritual and physical energy of our father in the Lord.