Hearing His Voice #309

As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I go and stand before him?

Psalm 42:1-2

Sometimes we long to be rescued. Or healed. Or provided for. And sometimes we simply long for God. We recognize our need, even when we’ve been fully satisfied with the best the world has to offer. Money, possessions, status, recognition, accomplishments, and even meaningful human relationships aren’t enough. Virtually everyone, no matter how successful, has asked the question, “Is this all there is?” We have deeper needs than we know how to satisfy.

So we thirst. Sometimes we can’t put a finger on what we’re thirsting for, but we know it’s beyond our own resources. If we’re spiritually minded, we realize that we’re thirsting for God Himself, longing for the one our hearts were designed to connect with. And it’s more than just a connection we desire. It’s a deep, meaningful, lasting relationship that goes beyond superficial interaction. We need two-way communication, shared thoughts and dreams, a bond that can’t be broken. We need to be known at the deepest level and embraced there.

God designed us with this thirst for a reason. It’s what drives us closer to Him. Many give up the quest, thinking that if God hasn’t shown Himself more fully, He can’t be more fully known. But that isn’t true. We hear Him by longing for Him. His voice resonates within us when we have decided He is more important to us than anything else.

Never forget: The ability to hear God is not a matter of technique; it’s a matter of desire. Yes, there are ways to listen, attitudes that position us to hear, and perspectives that put His words in the right light. But before all that is the thirst. If it’s strong enough, we won’t stop listening, even if hearing is difficult. We will long for streams of water until we find them.

Lord, satisfy this quest. My relentless thirst is for You. Quench it with gushing streams of Your wisdom and inspiration. Let Your words fulfill my deepest desires.