Thirsting for God

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. – Psalm 63:1

I was studying in the Old Testament this week and read about the multiple times that the Israelites were thirsty. The first time the Lord had led them from the Red Sea into the desert to a place called Marah where they found undrinkable, bitter water. They grumbled to Moses who cried out to the Lord and the Lord showed him a piece of wood that when thrown into the water would make it become fit to drink. (Exodus 15:22-24)

There are other stories where God instructed Moses to strike a rock and still another time to speak to the rock. Each time water came forth for the needy and thirsty Israelites. Each time in a different and miraculous way.

When I imagined myself in their situation I wondered how I would have responded. They had experienced God’s deliverance from the 10 plagues He brought upon the Egyptians, walked across the Red Sea on dry ground, had received drinkable water multiple times and yet they still doubted God’s provision.

I remembered in my own life when we received news that the cancer had returned in our son Brock. At first we could not imagine why God was bringing us back to this battle, to this desert place. Once the initial shock of the news subsided a bit, we found our bearings in remembering that the Lord had brought us through before and He would do it again. But then we found ourselves at another, even bigger desert, when we were told there was nothing that could be done to save our son.

This is where I found myself in a similar situation with the Israelites, forgetting the past provision of God and not trusting in His faithfulness to supply my immediate needs as well as my needs for the future, regardless of the miraculous way He chose to deliver them.

Each time the Lord provided water for the Israelites there was also a symbolic message of His eternal provision for them and for all of us. The wood thrown into the water represented the cross where Jesus took away the bitterness of sin. Striking the rock represented the pain and suffering that Jesus endured when He died for us. Speaking to the rock represents the new relationship we have with Jesus Christ, our rock and our redeemer.

The bible tells us, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior.” (2 Samuel 22:2-3)

The Lord is faithful and He provided for us the first time we found ourselves in the desert and He has provided for us many other times, in many other ways every since. His ultimate provision being salvation through His son, Jesus Christ. His provision for us when Brock went home to be with the Lord is one of the most priceless and precious gifts we have ever received. That is when I truly and deeply came to know Him as my Rock. It’s when I learned to speak to the Rock who not only was my deliverer, but my shield, my refuge, my fortress and my Savior, but who became my everything.

I don’t want to be a grumbling and complaining believer who forgets the faithfulness of My God. I want to remember that when I’m found in a desert place, He is the living water that always has and always will supply all my needs.

Father, thank you for Your incredible provision in my life. Lord I need You. I want You in my life. I hunger and thirst for You. Please sustain my faith by reminding me of your past faithfulness and that you always keep Your promises. In Jesus’ name, amen.