It might have been ∙∙

It might have been ∙∙

As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God! – Psalms 42:1

Psalms 42:1-11

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me.

By day, the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life. I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”

My adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.

A Lament for What Once Was

As time passes, a sense of loss often emerges, revealing how life gradually transforms from what it once was into something profoundly different. This nostalgic feeling highlights the bittersweet reality of aging, where the physical strength that once defined us begins to fade. Power decreases, and for many people, the sharpness of memory and concentration becomes less dependable. The body, once resilient and full of energy, grows weary, and the mind, once quick and flexible, may slow down. These changes can stir a deep longing for the days when life felt more vibrant and carefree.

John Greenleaf Whittier lamented, “Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, ‘It might have been.’” Whittier’s poignant musings encourage us to reflect on our life priorities.

For many, the answers might include happiness, wealth, family, safety, career success, physical strength, or vitality. However, the Father’s highest priority for us transcends these temporal pursuits. His ultimate goal is to build a close and constantly growing relationship with Him. He created us to thirst for Him just as we thirst for water and to seek Him as we seek relief from a parched throat.

A Soul’s Deep Longing for God

Psalms 42:1-11 captures the raw and heartfelt cry of a soul yearning for God amidst despair and turmoil. This longing is beautifully captured in Psalms 42:1: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.”

Tesh and Zorn describe this imagery vividly: “What a picture of the longing of the soul for God! One can visualize the deer in a parched land, neck outstretched, seeking to get the scent of water, without which it will surely perish. So is the thirst for God.”

This metaphor of a deer desperately seeking water in a parched land vividly illustrates the human soul’s innate thirst for God. The psalmist’s longing is not casual but urgent, expressing a profound, deep, spiritual need that nothing else can satisfy.

The Pain of Separation and the Cry for Hope

The psalmist’s lament continues in Psalms 42:3, revealing the depth of his sorrow:
“My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long, ‘Where is your God?’”

This verse conveys the anguish of feeling distant from God, compounded by the taunts of adversaries questioning His presence. Yet, even in the midst of despair, the psalmist turns inward, addressing his own soul with a call to hope, Psalms 42:5: “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”

This refrain, repeated in Psalms 42:11, serves as a reminder that hope in God transcends present circumstances. The psalmist acknowledges his turmoil but chooses to anchor his soul in the steadfastness of God’s salvation.

Becoming Strong in Spirit with Age

Although our physical and mental resources diminish with age, the human spirit is not bound by material limits. It is designed to become stronger, more resilient, and effervescent during our time on earth. For those who remain closely connected to God, the human spirit can flourish, becoming a wellspring of resilience and strength. Any child of the King can cultivate a strong spirit. John the Baptist stands as a powerful example of this spiritual strength, inspiring us all.

Luke 1:80 states, “And the child [John the Baptist] grew and became strong in spirit.”

As John the Baptist aged and walked closely with the Father, his human spirit grew stronger and stronger, preparing him for his unique assignment as the forerunner of the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Growing strong in spirit is a process of continual transformation, where one’s inner life is shaped by spiritual nourishment from prayer, Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. It reflects a life rooted in God’s presence, marked by unwavering trust in His promises and a commitment to living out His purpose. This is how the Father prepares each child of the King to fulfill their personal assignment.

REFLECT & PRAY

The Father’s love is like a song that surrounds and sustains us, offering peace and assurance in the midst of life’s uncertainties. While we long for deeper intimacy with Him, we are reminded to wait patiently, trusting in His perfect timing.

Father, we long for intimacy with You and desire closeness. Please help us to wait patiently as we seek You.

INSIGHT

Resting in God’s Love

While tears and ambivalence may mark his walk with the Father, his refrain found in Psalms 42:11, offers a timeless truth: “Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”

This hope is not wishful thinking but a confident expectation rooted in the unchanging character of God. As we thirst for Him, He meets us with His love, sustaining us through every trial and drawing us closer to His heart.

Hope in Seasons of Spiritual Dryness

In times of spiritual drought, the children of the King can find comfort in knowing that God meets all their needs. This certainty encourages ongoing faith in Him during these challenging moments. Even in pain, we are not alone; a quiet peace is accessible through the Father’s tender voice, which assures us of His deep love, even when answers are not apparent. Sometimes the source of discouragement or sadness is unknown. In these moments, it is beneficial to consciously place hope in God, draw upon His strength, and anticipate the grace He will extend (Stanley).

The psalmist’s imagery hauntingly depicts the loss of communion with God. As he yearns for the intimacy and excitement he once experienced, he feels a mix of longing and sorrow. In expressing his deepest feelings, the absence of God makes him feel as if his very essence is fading, significantly impacting his physical health.

Patient and Confident Hope

The walk of faith is centered on hope, the confident expectation that what the Father has promised will ultimately come to pass. From the moment of salvation, children of the King are given a blessed hope for a future day when God will reveal who His children are. This divine perspective offers a complete transformation if we embrace it and align our thoughts with His. Patient waiting is central to faith.

The Apostle Paul explains this concept in Romans 8:24-25: “We were given this hope when we were saved. If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.”

As Barclay notes, for Paul, life was not a “weary, defeated waiting” but a “throbbing, vivid expectation.” Barclay adds that children of the King “do not live only in the world; they also live in Christ. They do not see only the world; they look beyond it to God. They do not see only the consequences of human sin; they see the power of God’s mercy and love. Therefore, the keynote of the Christian life is always hope and never despair. Christians wait not for death but for life.”

An Eager Expectation of Future Glory

This sense of anticipation is captured powerfully in Romans 8:19: “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.”

The Greek word for “eager longing” or “waiting eagerly” is apokaradokia, which signifies “an intensely desired expectation with a high confidence of fulfillment.” Barclay describes it as “the stance of someone who scans the horizon with head thrust forward, eagerly searching the distance for the first signs of the dawn breaking.”

For the children of the King, the future is certain and secure. Understanding this truth fosters a strong desire for the fulfillment of our hope. Rather than reminiscing about the “good old days,” we confidently look forward to the incredible future that God has prepared for us. Paul exemplified this forward-looking attitude, filled with anticipation for what was to come.

A Perspective Shaped by Hope

Paul’s internal conflict is articulated in Philippians 1:23-25: “I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live. Knowing this, I am convinced that I will remain alive so I can continue to help all of you grow and experience the joy of your faith.”

His profound longing for Christ embodies the ultimate hope, while his unwavering commitment to the church clearly defines his earthly purpose. As James Dunn observes, “The Christian perspective is determined not by the frustrations of the present, but by its future hope.” This perspective reshapes the way children of the King face today’s challenges, grounding them in the confident hope of the glory that awaits in the future.

Insight into Spiritual Growth

The walk of faith is an ongoing process of growth and change. Though our physical and mental abilities may decline over time, our spirit can become stronger as we deepen our connection with God. This spiritual strength reflects the powerful presence of God in our lives. As we seek Him, He offers us love that nurtures our spirit and brings us closer to Him.

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© Dr. H 2025