NazNet - Lent 2000 - Sara Sheppard

Looking
Unto the

Cross.....
A devotional for day 20 of

LENT

Thursday, March 30

Imagine with me that it is late August somewhere in the south and you've been outside working. You begin to feel thirsty. What are the physical implications of thirst? Are you getting a dry mouth, feeling hotter, and maybe becoming weak? What are the mental implications of thirst? At first you don't worry about it, but after a little while longer it is all you can think about. By now, most of us would be headed into the house for a large glass of ice water. However, scientists tell us that if we wait long enough, we eventually forget that we are thirsty. Our minds actually deceive us. This of course does not stop the physical effects from happening to us and this deception can eventually lead to death because of lack of water.

In Psalm 42, we have the picture of a deer thirsty for water. Verses 1 and 2 say,

As a deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for God. My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God, when can I go and meet with God?

I can almost see the deer in my mind running through the woods looking for water. The question is - have you ever been thirsty for God? Its effects are much the same as our physical need for water. For a while our guilt keeps the thirst for God on our minds. However, as we ignore the signs, the devil can convince us that we are O.K. without God. If we go long enough without a drink from the living water of God, we can spiritually die from lack of communication with Him.

Maybe today you are spending time with God on a regular basis and if so - that is great. However, many of us only spend a few shallow moments with the One who is our life sustaining water. Is your soul thirsty? Does your soul long to spend more time with Him? Don't ignore the signs. Why dry up and become weak when the Living Water waits to refresh us and restore life to our thirsty souls.

Sara Sheppard
Nashville, TN USA

Prayer

Lord, thank You for providing the water of life. Help me to ever be aware of the need for that spiritual water which restores my soul. When I first feel a thirst in my soul, May I be quick to search Your word, that my soul may be filled with Your presence and empowered by Your Spirit.
I ask this in Jesus' name,

Amen

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Suggested Daily Scripture Reading
[Psalms 42, 43] [Gen. 46:1-7] [ I Cor. 9:1-15] [Mark 6:30-40]

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Visit:
1999 Advent/Christmas Series
Epiphany Series

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or suggestions toYvonne Edwards.
Edited: Mar. 27, 8:50 p.m.
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Prayer by: Cecil Wallace
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