Most
of us -- if we have lived for very long at all -- have gone through some rather
dry times & low seasons -- during our life time!
Maybe -- maybe you are experiencing just
that in your life -- even now!
Charles Spurgeon -- often called the
"Prince of Preachers" -- enjoyed a very effective pastoral ministry
in
In one of his sermons -- Spurgeon shocked
his listeners when he said: -- "I am the subject of depressions of spirit
so fearful that I hope none of you ever get to such extremes of wretchedness as
I go to."
Many years ago a young Midwestern lawyer
suffered from such deep depression -- that his friends kept all knives &
razors out of his reach.
He questioned his life's calling -- & he
just wanted to give up.
This is what he wrote in his journal: --
"I am now the most miserable man living. -- Whether I shall ever be better,
I cannot tell... -- to remain as I am impossible."
Do you know who wrote those words? -- It was
Abraham Lincoln.
Did anyone in Bible times ever feel that
low?
Yes. -- Listen to the words of King David
found in Psalm 42.
Psalm 42 -- was written in one of the
darkest hours of David's life.
It has been called -- "the sob of a
wounded heart."
Listen to David's words in this anguished
cry from his heart.
Psalm 42:3 -- "My tears have been my
meat day & night -- while they continually say unto me, -- Where is thy
God?"
42:5 -- & he repeats this in vs. 11 -- "Why art thou cast down, O my
soul? -- & why art thou disquieted
in me?"
Most Bible scholars agree that King David
wrote this when he was forced to flee into the wilderness because his son
Absalom was leading a rebellion again him; -- an event that is recorded in
David was temporally removed from the throne
-- his life was threatened -- his friends had bailed on him -- he was ridiculed
& mocked -- & he was miles away from the temple where he loved to
worship.
David was piled with problems; -- he was on
the run; -- he was alone & he was discouraged. -- This was David's personal 'ground zero.'
King David has been where some of you are
today!
One of the greatest benefits of the low
seasons -- the dry times of life -- is that they drive us to our knees before
God!
Let's listen in -- as David yearns &
longs for the Lord's presence in the midst of his darkness & sorrows.
Psalm 42:1-2 -- "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 & appear before God?"
There is a beautiful word picture in these
verses!
The "hart" -- is a male deer of
more than five years; -- a deer that is strong, lean & full of life.
Yet here -- he is being pursued by his
enemies -- maybe a lion -- maybe by hunters -- & in his attempt to escape
he has become weary & thirsty.
The deer is gasping with desire for the
fresh water of the brook -- the only place where he can quench his thirst.
"As the deer pants for streams of
water" (
"As a deer yearns for running
streams" (New Jerusalem Bible).
Can you see -- can you visualize the
picture?
Adam Clarke concisely summarizes this
thought: -- "The hart feels him-self almost entirely spent; -- he is
nearly hunted down; -- the dogs are in full pursuit; -- he is parched with
thirst; -- & in a burning heat pants after the water -- & when he comes
to the river -- plunges in as his last refuge."
Adam Clarke continues: -- "Thus pursued,
spent, & nearly ready to give up the ghost -- the psalmist pants for God,
-- for the living God! -- for Him Who can give life -- & save (the soul)
from death."
Let me ask you a very personal -- but an
extremely important question: -- To
where do you turn during the dark hour of your soul?
Where do you find your renewal? -- Your
hope? -- Your help?
Remember -- What gets your attention gets you!
For many people -- the object of their
desire is: -- lust -- revenge -- money -- things -- self-pity -- anger -- drugs
or alcohol.
They turn their attention to these things --
hoping for some kind of relief.
But none of these will ever truly satisfy
the human heart for very long.
They only leave you dry & thirsting all
the more!
The rich young ruler hungered for financial
security; -- Pharisees sought the praise of men; -- athletes long for greater
success in their chosen careers; -- financiers seek greater profit in their
investments; -- politicians work for important positions; -- but true
Christians desire godliness!
The great Theologian, St. Augustine was right when he said: --
"Man is made for thee, O God, -- & is restless until he finds his rest
in Thee."
Augustine knew that deep within the human
soul there resides a yearning for God!
None but God can satisfy the longing of an
immortal soul.
As the heart & soul was made for God --
so He alone can fill it.
But to some people -- God is an after thought
-- or maybe no thought at all! -- But,
my friends -- only God can truly satisfy the heart!
Man without God is neither a whole man --
nor a happy man!
There
will always be a void -- an emptiness -- in your heart
-- until you make your peace with the God -- Who formed you & made you!
So I ask you today -- to where do you turn
during the dark hour of your soul? -- Where do you go seeking your renewal; --
your hope; -- your help?
What is the object of your pursuit?
What is the driving passion of your life?
Tom Landry -- was one of the most easily
recognized men in the country -- a man so identified with his job that he was
usually called Coach Tom Landry. -- Some called him -- "the man in the
funny hat."
As head coach of the Dallas Cowboys for
nearly 30 years -- Coach Landry compiled a winning record that few professional
coaches have since matched. -- But that success did not come easily.
Beginning with the expansion team in 1960 --
Landry & the Cowboys suffered through five straight losing seasons.
Their ledger during those first five years
reads only 18 wins -- 46 losses & 4 ties. -- Not exactly the kind of record
a dynasty is built on!
Landry once remarked: -- "People were
wondering whether or not we were going to make it." -- Of course -- the Cowboys did make it!
In 1965 they broke even -- & in the
years that followed they compiled one of the best records in NFL history.
At one time -- winning in football was
number one driving passion in Tom Landry's life.
For a long time he sought fulfillment in his
own achievements.
Landry once said -- "I had a very
restless feeling inside me that I wanted to accomplish something -- but I
really didn't know what it was."
As a boy in the small town of
So young Tom began to set
goals -- specific goals for his budding football career.
In high school he told himself -- if I could
just be part of a championship team -- be an all-district halfback -- then I
would have everything I wanted.
In his senior year -- Landry saw that dream
fulfilled; -- but -- in his own words -- the thrill "wore off
quickly."
Next it was college -- but even his success
at the prestigious
Even professional football didn't do it. --
Landry discovered that his restlessness had followed him even to the NFL.
Landry never imagined that his problem was
basically a spiritual one.
After all -- he had been going to church all
his life.
He already was a Christian -- wasn't he?
An invitation to a Bible discussion group in
1958 changed his thinking --& gave him an answer to his quest for peace.
God began to open Coach Landry's eyes to the
difference between a mere churchgoer -- a "good" person -- & a
true Christian.
As he related: -- "I committed my life
to Christ -- & discovered what Jesus meant when He said: -- 'I have come
that you may have life -- & have it more abundantly'" (John
For Coach Tom Landry -- placing his faith in
Christ brought an END to his restless search for life's meaning.
Landry later testified: -- “This is really
the most important factor in my life. My faith in Jesus
Christ. -- When you accept Christ -- He becomes first in your life. --
It's this priority that gives me peace."
Landry's greatest legacy -- & his
highest priority & passion in life -- was his Christian faith.
As we look at
1. THE OBJECT OF THE PSALMIST'S DESIRE!
King David did not yearn for return to his
earthly throne; -- he yearned for God -- for the living God!
Notice the key words: -- “My soul” (vs. 2)
-- & "My God” (vs. 6).
He realizes that substitutes will not meet
his need!
Only the Living God -- the Living Personal
God -- is sufficient to meet the deep longings of his heart & soul.
Nothing else -- nothing short of God Himself
-- will do!
God must be personal in our lives -- or He
is not in our lives.
Church ritual is not enough; -- singing in
the choir; -- serving on the board; -- teaching Sunday School; -- involvement
in the total program of the church; -- in themselves -- will never satisfy.
Still, a lot of people attempt to find
happiness & fulfillment by becoming totally absorbed in church ritual &
programs.
Church buildings -- no matter how lofty
& beautiful -- are not enough!
I have been in church buildings where I have
stood in awe -- drinking in the beauty & the wonder of the sites!
I have been in church building very plain
& simple.
But the church building -- no matter what
its style -- cannot satisfy the human soul!
Church doctrine -- no matter how right or
how faulty -- is not enough.
Some church doctrine boarder the realm of
cults -- & people are swept up into them in an effort to find something
that will satisfy -- but it is not enough!
Some people will argue their position --
their doctrine -- until they are blue in the face!
But my friends -- without a living presence
of God in a real & personal relationship -- even if the doctrine is correct
-- it is not enough!
Church pastors -- no matter how eloquent or
caring they may be -- are not enough. --
Some people have "preacher religion"!
They go to church if they like the preacher;
-- or they stay at home if they do not like the preacher!
You need more than just a preacher religion!
-- You need God!
In the dark hours of life -- when all is dry
-- & you need something to quench the thirsty soul -- only a personal
relationship with the living God will satisfy!
Only God can quench the deep yearning of the
human soul!
2. THE
INTENSITY OF THE PSALMIST'S DESIRE!
The description here of the hart -- the male
deer -- is so vivid & rich in meaning.
The deer seeks after the water brooks; -- he
feels his strength is almost spent, depleted, drained; -- he is nearly hunted
down by the dogs which are in full pursuit; -- he is parched, dehydrated --
with thirst -- & in need of water.
With a burning heat he pants -- he gasps --
after the waters.
Here, at the running stream of water, is his
last & only refuge.
The water brook serves not only to satisfy
his thirst -- but also as a source of protection! -- Here he also finds refuge!
This is the manner in which the Psalmist
Illustrates how he, himself -- pants & seeks for God's presence!
In today's world -- we have almost lost the
art of seeking after God! -- God has almost become an after-thought!
But for the Psalmist -- it was not just a
casual search for God.
It was not occasionally; -- not just when it
was convenient; -- or only when he was in trouble; -- not just on Sunday
morning; -- or just during revival.
It was the consuming passion of his life!
Too often -- the excitement; -- the clamor;
-- the contacts; -- the busy-ness of life; -- all these -- dull our spiritual
sensitivities.
As the thirsty deer pants for the water
brook; --
As the caged eagle longs for lofty mountain
peaks; --
As the very life of a fish depends upon
being in its own element; --
So the
human spirit longs for a personal relationship with God!
That word "panteth"
denotes "eager desire"!
How eager are you in your desire for God's
presence?
Brother Lawrence -- a godly monk of the
18th century -- practiced the presence of God even while faithfully washing pot
& pans in the monastery kitchen.
In his book -- Practicing the Presence of God
-- he captures the essence of the spiritual quest in one memorable sentence.
He writes -- "There is need neither of
art or science for going to God -- but only a heart resolutely determined to
apply itself to nothing but Him -- or for His sake -- & to love Him
only."
Again, I ask -- how eager are you in your
desire for God's presence?
3. THE REWARD OF THE PSALMIST'S DESIRE!
King David was in exile when he wrote this
Psalm; -- he had been driven from his throne by his own son -- Absalom!
Not only did this bring distress to his soul
-- but David was also being taunted by those who were asking: -- "Where is
your God?"
David cried out in distress: -- "My
tears have been my meat day & night" (vs. 3) -- "Why art thou
cast down, O my soul?" (vs. 5).
But David would not give in to self-pity!
He always reminds himself to hope in the
Lord!
He realizes that when everything is said
& done -- his help comes from the Lord!
That is the great reward which comes from an
intense desire to know & to serve God. -- We know that God is the One who
helps us in our every time of need!
With David -- the psalmist -- we too can
declare: -- "My help cometh from the Lord!" (121:2).
Listen to David's testimony in vs. 5 --
"I shall yet praise Him for the help of his countenance"; -- vr. 8, "the
Lord will command his loving kindness in the daytime -- & in the night His
song shall be with
There is not a one of us here today who has
not at one time or another felt like our world was caving in upon us!
If we know & love God when the way is
smooth -- then we can be assured that He will be with us when the way is rough
& rocky!
What a reward! -- What a blessing! -- What a blessed assurance!
I like that story about Martin Luther -- the
Reformation leader -- who once was greatly troubled -- by his own weakness --
by the wickedness of the world -- & by the dangers that beset the church.
One day he saw his wife come to breakfast
dressed in black mourning clothes. -- Surprised, he asked her who had died.
She replied -- "Don't you know? -- God
in Heaven is dead."
Upset by her remark -- Luther said: --
"Katie, how can you talk such nonsense? -- How can God die? -- He is
immortal -- & will live through all eternity."
She responded by saying: -- "If you do
not doubt that -- why are you still so helpless & discouraged?" -- Wow,
that was a wake up call for Luther!
Luther must have been brought up short by
his wife's remark.
My friends -- circumstances may alter our
feelings -- but they should never be allowed to cause us to act contrary to
what we know is true from reading the Scriptures. -- Our hope is in Almighty
God!
Gloomy Christians are a misrepresentation of
the facts!
God's promise to you & me is still true
-- "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." -- Our hope is in Almighty God!
David knew that -- & that was the reward
of his desire!
When we sincerely God with our whole heart
-- He always rewards us!
CONCLUSION:
-- I return to the question with which I began: --
To where do you turn during the dark hour of
your soul?
Where do you find your renewal? -- Your
hope? -- Your help?
What is the consuming passion of your
life?
What is the driving passion of your life?
What is the object of your pursuit?
It is always a danger signal when our thirst
for God becomes casual & intermittent.
We are safest spiritually when we literally
pant for the water brooks.
It is so very easy for other things to crowd
into our lives until it snuffs out the spiritual intensity of our life.
It is so easy -- & ever so dangerous --
to loose the intensity of our desire for that which is spiritual!
I plead with you -- do not settle for the
shallow -- the superficial -- the substitutes -- of our present-day
attractions!
Like the deer that might have been hunted --
pursued -- confused -- endangered -- & frightened -- so our soul -- at
times -- faces experiences which create an insatiable & quenchless thirst!
Jesus offered the woman at the well springs
of living water welling up within her soul -- if she would but place her faith
in Him!
She did so! -- & she became an
"artesian-well" Christian instead of a "waterpot"
person!
Jesus declares -- "If any man thirst
let him come unto me -- & drink. --
He that believes on me ... out of his belly (from deep within him) shall flow
rivers of living water" (John
Centuries ago -- the Prophet Isaiah
wrote: "Ho, everyone that thirsteth, come ye, buy, & eat; yea, come, buy wine & milk w/o money
& w/o price."
That invitation still stands today! -- The
promise is still true,
"Blessed are they that hunger &
thirst ... for they shall be filled."
Let the Lord God be the OBJECT of your
desire -- & the INTENSITY of your desire -- & the REWARD of your
desire!
May He become the consuming passion of your
life!
If your soul is cast down -- then dear
friend, look up!
There are rivers that flow with living water
from the very throne of God!
All you need do is ask -- & you shall
receive it!