Psalm 42

1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O 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 men 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 with the multitude,
leading the procession to the house of God,
with shouts of joy and thanksgiving
among the festive throng.

5 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and 6 my God.
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.

8 By day the LORD directs his love,
at night his song is with me—
a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I say to God my Rock,
"Why have you forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,
oppressed by the enemy?"

10 My bones suffer mortal agony
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,
"Where is your God?"

11 Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.

Do you thirst for the Holy Spirit like what the psalmist described of the deer in verse 1? God must be the source of our strength. If He is not, whatever that we do, we're merely relying on our own strength.

I've been serving as a youth cell leader for slightly more than 3 years. I've learnt that when I do things using my own strength, I would run dry very fast. I would lose the zest whenever I encounter difficulties and setbacks. In fact, if not for the grace of God, I probably would have stopped being a cell leader.

But thanks be to God! This is the Year of Sabbath, whereby we Rely and Remember the Lord. I thirst for the Holy Spirit to fill my soul everyday. And it shouldn't just be about ministry, but in every aspect of my life. Even in my workplace, as a teacher, I should pray for the Holy Spirit to teach me and give me His wisdom.

I found this song "As the deer". It's a wonderful song with lyrics similar to Psalm 42. Have a blessed time listening!





Things to ponder
1. How many percent of your daily life do you rely on Go and ask Him to help you make decisions?
2. When was the last time whereby you actually ask the Holy Spirit to fill you?
3. Thirst for the Lord and pray! Pray that Holy Spirit will fill you every day. Have a deep desire for Him.

Click here for Pastor YC's reflection on Psalm 42