This week in Crisis Counsels we begin a journey through Psalm 42, in which the Psalmist calls to God in the midst of distress. We will find that this Psalm connects in many ways to our present circumstances.

The Psalm begins, “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for you, O God.” (Psalm 42:1) It is a beautiful image of the profound longing for God that is embedded within every human being.

Yet that longing can become misdirected. As far as deer are concerned, I was astonished lately when some deer ate my supposedly deer-proof hyacinths. It probably got a stomach ache later. Human beings likewise can become caught up in misdirected longings, which ultimately bring ill effects. The Psalmist would lead us to recognize our deepest longing and our real need – the need for God. Like the deer that longs for flowing streams, we need to seek God, so as to find that “living water” of which Jesus spoke, which nourishes the soul.

Prayer – Inspire us, O Lord, to seek You, knowing that You are the answer to the longing of our soul. Share on X

About the Author

Dr. David A. Palmer has been the senior pastor at the United Methodist Church of Kent since 1995. He has a B.A. from Wittenberg University, a Master of Divinity from Duke University, and a Doctor of Ministry from Princeton Theological Seminary. A native of Wooster, Ohio, he has served three other churches in east Ohio before coming to Kent. He and his wife, Mavis, have three children.