PrintRecovering That "First Love". (2)
How is it that the "romance" of our relationship with God can be lost or abandoned? An email from a good friend has caused me to look within my own heart as I seek an answer to that question.
My friend and I are in good company - whatever consolation that may provide! Not only do we wrestle with that question but others do as well- a great company of people who stretch back across the generations to Biblical times.
I think the author of Psalms 42 and 43 was asking the same question when he wrote,
As the deer pants for streams of water,so I long for you, O God. I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and stand before him? Day and night, I have only tears for food, while my enemies continually taunt me, saying,"Where is this God of yours?" My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God,singing for joy and giving thanks — it was the sound of a great celebration! (Ps 42:1-4 NLT)
"…as I remember how it used to be".Oh, yes: my heart resonates with such memories. My heart doesn't actually break (and maybe that's part of my problem) but there is certainly a sadness there, a sense of loss.
In his memories the psalmist uses words like "joy", "thanksgiving" and "celebration". But to describe his present condition he uses words like "longing", "thirst" and "tears". But I take heart from a repeated refrain that breaks through his lament and anticipates the return and recovery of that which he had lost
Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God!I will praise him again — my Savior and my God! (Ps 42:5-6 NLT)
So, Lord, increase my longing and thirst after you . Intensify my hunger for you. Strengthen my hope in you. Then satisfy and saturate my life with Yourself.
