- Overcomer Literature Trust
- Swindon
- Wiltshire
3. THE THIRST AFTER GOD Ps. 42 and 43
1. The cry after God.
“As the heart panteth . . . so panteth my soul after Thee . . . my soul thirsteth for God . . . when . . . shall I come and appear before God?” (v1-2).
This intense desire after God is the fruit of the purpose of the will to seek but one thing. “One thing . . . that will I seek after.”
2. The valley of weeping.
“My tears have been my meat day and night” (v3).
The way to Zion lies always through the valley of tears. See Ps. 84 v5-6.
3. The reproach of others.
“They continually say unto me, Where is thy God?” (v3).
Others looking on cannot understand the dealings of God with the soul intensely seeking to know Him.
4. The memory of past experience.
“I remember . . . how I went with the throng, and led them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise” (v4).
Present trial is ever darker in the light of past joy, but the faith of the soul in the hour of trial is more precious to God than even the praise and joy when it went with the throng to worship Him.
5. The soul anchored on God.
“Why art thou bowed down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted . . . hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him” (v5).
It is blessed to be brought to the place where there is no hope but in God. See Rom. 4 v18.
6. The depths of Jordan.
“I remember Thee from the land of Jordan . . . Deep calleth unto deep . . . All Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over me” (v6-7).
“When thou passest through the waters, I wall be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee” (Isa. 43 v2).
7. The spirit of trust and prayer.
“Yet the Lord . . . lovingkindness . . . in the night His song shall be with me, even a prayer onto the God of my life” (v8)
Note that the ‘song’ is a prayer! A prayer from the soul in the night of sorrow is as a song unto God.
8. The recognition of the enemy’s oppression.
“I will say unto God my rock . . . Why go I mourning while the enemy oppresseth?” (v9).
It is well to be able to discern the enemy. The oppression is permitted to teach the soul to stand on the rock in bare faith.
9. The instruments of the adversary.
“As with a crushing . . . mine adversaries reproach me . . . Where is thy God?” (v10).
This as just as the Christ was reproached at Calvary when they said “He trusted on the Lord, that He would deliver Him” (Ps. 22 v8).
10. The renewed anchoring on God.
“O my soul . . . Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him” (v11).
The adversary’s oppression, and the reproach of others, only wrecks the soul upon God, enabling Him to fulfil the cry of those that seek Him.
11. The cry to God for judgment.
“Judge me, O God, and plead my cause” (Ps. 43 v1).
The soul thirsting after God seeks His judgments, and desires above all things to know His truth. “To the hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet” (Prov. 27 v7).
12. The assertion of faith.
“Thou art the God of my strength” (v2).
It is only by the Divine strength imparted that the soul is able to go through the deep waters with steadfast faith.
13. The ceasing from effort.
”O send out Thy light and Thy truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me unto Thy holy hill” (v3).
There must come a point where the thirsting and longing, praying and weeping, must cease, as the soul lets itself go into the hand of God to be led to its goal in His own time and way.
14. The confidence and joy of faith.
“Then will I go . . . unto God my exceeding joy” (v4).
Note the spirit of faith. God is still the exceeding joy even though He appears to have cast off the seeking one.
15. The quiet waiting for the will of God.
“Hope . . . I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God” (v5).
The soul has found its rest, for quiet surrender to the will of God brings it to its desired haven.