“My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”
(Psalm 42:2)
God is eternal. There has never been—and there will never be—a time when God is not, because He is forever the “I AM,” the timeless, eternally-existing God.
Man, on the other hand, is mortal. We don’t like to talk about it, but in time, the curse of sin takes over… and as a result, we all eventually die. James describes our life here on earth as “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (James 4:14). Even if you beat the odds and live to see 100, your life still resembles “a vapor” when compared to the eternality of God.
But as Hebrews 9:27 clearly states, after death comes judgment. Death marks the end of life here on earth but the beginning of eternity—eternity either with God… or without Him.
Though God’s Word is very clear on this matter of life and death, heaven and hell, we tend to spend the great majority of our short days on earth concerned with temporal matters like how much we can acquire, what status we can attain, how many people we can connect with, and on and on. In addition, we waste inordinate amounts of time worrying about who we’ve disappointed, who doesn’t like us, and who we should steer clear of.
Don’t be mistaken. As long as God allows us breath and life, we should seek to use the gifts He has given us as best we can. We should enjoy the great bounty of temporary, earthly blessings that come our way as we do good to others and bring glory to our God. But at the same time, we are admonished by Paul to “set our mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:2).
The difference is a question of focus. Of passion. And of investment.
What do you long for? Who do you live for? What do you want most out of life? These are the barometers by which we believers must measure not only what we do… but more importantly, why we do it. Wisdom presses us to remember that God will judge our deeds, as well as the thoughts and intents of our hearts. When that day comes, will He find that we foolishly invested for time… or wisely for eternity?
Since God is eternal, those who receive and trust in Christ as Savior in this life will forever dwell in the eternal bliss of His presence in heaven. And those who reject Him will suffer His wrath eternally in hell. As Hebrews 10:31 iterates, “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living [i.e., eternal] God.”
God’s mercy is extended to you now. But understand that it is appointed to men once to die… and after this, the judgment (Heb. 9:27)—where no mercy exists. If you do not know Him as Savior and Lord, run to Him now before this “vapor” of mortality is gone.
And if you are His child, consider what you focus your attention and energy on. Do you invest time in the here and now adoring God and knowing Him in a deeper way? Or do you care more about what mortal man thinks of you than what the eternal, living God knows?
“Children of God, let the omnipotence of God encourage your hearts. If God is for you, who will be against you?”[1] Like the psalmist, may you and I be able to say in earnest, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” (Ps. 42:2)
Contemplations:
- A Soul That Thirsts for God. If I love You, Lord, then my desire should be to follow hard after You (Isa. 26:8) and to seek communion with You (Ps. 42:2). Does my soul thirst for You as David’s did? My love for You will be evident by my desire to be in Your presence, because it is here that I behold Your glory. In Your sacred ordinances and means of grace I meet with Christ, whom my soul loves.
- Finding the Presence of God in His Word. In Your Word, Lord, I find the light of Your countenance, the whispers of Your grace, and the foretaste of heaven. The Scriptures are my fountain of wisdom and the food of my soul. Keep me faithfully seeking You in Your Word daily that I may treasure the pages of Scripture more than earthly riches.
- A Hatred for All That Separates from God. If I truly love You, Lord, I will hate everything that separates me from You. Sin causes You to hide Your face from me, and therefore, I must be wholly set against it. Can I honestly say with the psalmist, “I hate every false way” (Ps. 119:128)?
- Living in Light of Eternity. My days on earth are numbered, my life is but a vapor. Yet You, O Lord, are from everlasting to everlasting. You have given me this short season of life to glorify You. Am I investing my time, my energy, my affections in eternal things, or am I consumed with the fleeting pursuits of this world? When I stand before You, will I be found faithful?
Prayer:
O eternal and unchanging God, my soul thirsts for You, the living God. There is none like You in heaven above or on earth beneath. You are the great I AM, the everlasting King, the One who was, and is, and is to come. From everlasting to everlasting, You are God, and there is none beside You. How small my life appears in the light of Your infinity, and yet You, the High and Holy One, have set Your love upon me.
Lord, I confess that my heart is often consumed with earthly cares, and I am prone to seek after what is temporary rather than what is eternal. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I set my affections on the things of this world rather than on You. Forgive my weak and wandering heart that so often pursues its own way rather than seeking after You with diligence.
I thank You, my Father, that You have not left me to myself. You sent Your Son to redeem, Your Spirit to indwell, and Your Word to guide me. You have given me the promise of eternal life, secured by the blood of Christ. How can I ever repay You for such mercy? My only response must be to love You, to serve You, to seek You, and to glorify You in all that I do.
O Lord, cause my soul to thirst for You more and more. Let my heart pant after You as the deer pants for the cool flowing streams. Draw me into deeper communion with You. May I delight in Your Word, hope in Your promises, and find joy in Your presence. Let me not be satisfied with lesser things, but may my hunger for righteousness grow, that I may be filled.
Keep me, Father, from the folly of investing my life in that which will perish. Teach me to number my days, that I may gain a heart of wisdom. Let me live each moment with eternity in view, setting my affections on things above. Let my days be spent in Your service, my hands in Your work, my heart in Your worship.
And when this brief vapor of life is over, bring me to that eternal dwelling where I shall behold Your face in righteousness and be satisfied in Your presence forever. Until then, sustain me, strengthen me, and lead me in the path of everlasting life.
In the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Further References for Psalm 42:2
Ps. 63:1, 143:6, 27:4; Jer. 10:10; Matt. 26:63; John 7:37.
[1] Wilhelmus à Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service, vol. 1 (Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria Publications, 1993), 132.
