As the hunted, weary deer pants after refreshing water, so David's soul thirsts for the saving presence of his God. In the living God alone can the hunger and thirst of his soul be stilled. Whoever has awakened from his natural sleep of sinful security and has come to realize what it means to be without God and therefore without hope in the world, knows something of this burning thirst after God that consumes the awakened sinner's soul.

The old church father St. Augustine writes truly: "Our hearts are created for Thee, O God, and they can find no rest until they rest in Thee." But in vain does the soul longing for righteousness and joy and peace seek to satisfy its thirst at the fountains of earthly wisdom, riches, or pleasure. It soon learns that the trivial things of this world can never satisfy the deep longing of its heart. Only God has power to revive it, and He does so through the Gospel of His love in Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

In Jesus we see the face of our God beaming on us in soul-entrancing love and mercy and find in Him the righteousness and joy and peace for which we crave, sweet communion with God, sure hope of everlasting life. Jesus has won for us forgiveness of all our sins, has abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light. He says of Himself: "I am come that they [My sheep] might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." [John 10:10] I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." He leads us beside the still waters sparkling in His blessed Gospel promises and so restores our fainting, thirsting soul. All praise be to His great love forevermore! Amen.

[devotion text by Rev. F. W. Herzberger (1920) -
from the Family Altar - CPH (1957 edition)]
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