The Thirst that Needs to be Quenched

     I worked in a lot of hay fields when I was young during my high school years.  Naturally, hay comes in when it is hot.  It isn't during the Spring nor the Fall.  Hay comes available when it is Summer time.  Most of the farm I worked on had a windmill and a "horse tank."  None of the farms had horses, but a lot of cows and they would all love to drink at the horse tank.  When we brought a load of hay into the barn from the field, I would head for the windmill, release the lever and the blades would begin turning and the long shaft would begin to pump cold water into the tank.  I would put my arms into the falling stream of cold water and let it run down to my finger tips.  Then, I would cup my hands together and drink and drink and drink until I was full of cold water.  It seems that the load of water would only last about one load of hay and then I would do it again.  Psalm 42:1-2 says, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.   My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?"
       I am like most of the other animals that desire a good drink of water.  Deer, cattle, horses and any other animal seem to long for the cool water of the water brooks.  The Psalmist uses this comparison or this illustration to show what our attitude should be in our longing for God.  He began with the words, "My soul thirsteth for God..."  The question comes up as to whether or not we thirst for God in the same way as our physical bodies thirst for water.  It is equally true that we do long for things in this life and they naturally seem to be connected with our life in the world instead of spiritual things.  We long for a high paying job.  We long for a car that smells like it came out of the show room.  We long for an abundance of food.  We long for the acquiring of toys such as cars, lawn mowers, four wheelers, boats with powerful motors, a wardrobe that is packed with the latest fashions and if we have enough time left at the end of the week, we will come to worship God.  Fortunately, God does have ways of getting our attention and to show us just how much we need to be in touch with Him.  My experiences at the windmill remind me of how I should long for God.  It also reminds me that God satisfies my every longing just as much as the cool water did for my physical thirst.  May we all have that type of longing for God in the days, weeks and month to come.  Praise God that He satisfies our every need.