All-Consuming Desire

David said in Psalms 63:1 NIV, “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.” He makes the perfect comparison between being thirsty and desiring God.

Do you know what it is like to be thirsty? Maybe you can think of the last time you played a game or ran a race. I remember crossing the finish line when I hit a personal record for my two-mile time. I collapsed onto the track in a heap as my coach encouraged me to walk it off. I was so thirsty all I could do was stumble over to the cooler and fill a cup of water. When I drank that water, it was messy. It poured all over my jersey. I was in such need of replenishment my manners went out the window.

In a moment like that, our need for water goes beyond an urge. It is not like when you wake up in the morning and think, “I should probably get some water.” It is more like what David describes as his whole being longing for water.

Right now is an invitation to examine our hearts. Do I desire God this deeply? Is my whole being longing for the Lord? Or am I still touch-and-go with God? Have you ever been that desperate for the Lord?

Of course, there are times of crisis and emergency in our lives where our awareness of our need for God is amplified. I do not think David is saying that our desire for God should feel like an emergency at all times, but that it should have depth and power.

Perhaps something stirs in you as you read this verse. Is there a longing to know God more deeply? To be more in touch with your need for his presence?

I want to invite you to take some time today and practice praying this verse out loud. Psalm 63 is a great psalm to pray through because the message is simple, and it easily points us toward an intimate encounter with God.

Pray slowly, listen carefully, and seek his face today.

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