A psalm of David, when he was in the Judean desert.
63 God! My God! It’s you—
I search for you!
My whole being thirsts for you!
My body desires you
in a dry and tired land,
no water anywhere.
Reflection
There are approximately 30 mentions of “thirst” in the Bible. Sometimes it is literally being physically thirsty, as when Jesus suffers on the cross and cries out “I thirst.” However, “thirst” is used more often metaphorically to represent a deep spiritual longing particularly for God’s grace, as exemplified in Jesus’ words and actions, and in passages like Psalm 63:1. I suggest that you go back to the scripture for today and read aloud Psalm 63:1 with passion capturing the feeling the original writer had. Everyone experiences feeling lost and alone some time(s) in their life. In a spiritual context, thirst often symbolizes a deep yearning for God; a spiritual fulfillment representing a need for something beyond the material world. I strongly suspect that when Jesus said “I thirst” from the Cross his thirst was both literal and spiritual. Thirst
can manifest as a desire for meaning, purpose, connection, or a sense of belonging. People, regardless of their religious background, may experience a sense of emptiness or a longing for something more than what the world can offer, which can be viewed as a form of spiritual thirst. Some believe that spiritual thirst can be quenched through prayer, meditation, faith, and a deeper connection with a Higher Power. Others find solace and meaning in serving others, pursuing knowledge, or engaging in activities that align with their values and beliefs. Ultimately, the path to quenching spiritual thirst is a personal journey, and everyone must find their own way to find meaning and purpose in life.
Spiritual thirst has occurred and been quenched for me at various times throughout my life, through prayer as well as what I can only call “Divine Intervention.” However, as I thought about today’s question, “What are you thirsty for?” what came to mind was my actual, literal thirst when I have been out walking on a hot, sunny, summer day getting my 10,000 steps to keep my cardiologist happy. That image causes me to think about the story of the Israelites trekking across the desert, complaining to Moses that they have no water, and they are thirsty. Countless refugees have experienced a similar trek throughout history. Millions have died from thirst while making that journey. Exodus 17:1-7 relates this story of Moses hearing his people and then calling on God for help. The Lord tells Moses to take the same shepherd’s rod he used to cross the Nile and go find the rock at Horeb. He is to hit the rock with the rod and water will come out of the rock to quench the travelers’ thirst.
Have you ever been that thirsty? So thirsty that you felt as if you would pass out? So thirsty that you were getting dizzy? 60% of our bodies is water and when the well runs dry we suffer from dehydration and possibly electrolyte imbalance. If you are an athlete, or have one in the family, you are probably familiar with the symptoms: Confusion. Fatigue. Headaches. Irregular or fast heart rate. Muscle cramps. Dizziness. I have become a faithful follower of drinking at least 64 ounces of water daily, as well as Gatorade Zero, especially when I am exercising regularly. Now that I am 70+ in age I have also become aware that these symptoms can be misinterpreted as dementia! Experiencing severe thirst is dangerous and must be taken seriously. As for quenching our spiritual thirst, I know that God will never leave us, so we must keep the lines of communication open and continue to ask for God’s guidance.
by Kathleen Stolz
For Pondering and Prayer
As you ponder the question “what are you thirsty for?” or “what do you long for?” what is the first thing that comes to mind? In our consumer society many people first think of something material. Set that aside and dig deeper. What are you spiritually longing for? What are you being nudged by God to do about it? The first step is usually the hardest so try praying about it or talking it through with someone you trust. Being spiritually thirsty can make you feel lost but when you trust God and take that first step you will feel as if you have taken a long drink from a tall glass of cool water after a journey through the desert.
Prayer: God, my God, it’s you I search for! With you all things are possible. Guide our thoughts
and our prayers as we walk with you each day through the highs and lows of life. Quench our thirst when we long to be closer to you and to be more like your son, Jesus. Amen.
