“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” Psalm 42:1-2

We were riding our bikes, the three of us, around our little section of the neighborhood. It wasn’t a far ride, but it was surprisingly hot. My littlest couldn’t finish the ride, he was quickly worn out. I ended up walking both our bikes home. As soon as we returned to our house, we all headed straight for a drink.

When you are thirsty, it is all you can think about. I dehydrate easily during the summer and immediately feel sick: nausea, dizziness, confusion–all for lack of water. I’ve learned that I need to drink a lot of water before going outside to prevent dehydration.

Water is what we are made of and is essential for our very survival. When it comes to our soul, knowing God and communing with Him is essential for our spiritual survival. This passage in Psalm 42 describes the souls longing for God, to the point of panting for Him.

Does your soul pant for God?

Too often, our soul is more interested in other distractions. The pretty things, the enjoyable things of life block our line of vision and convince us they will fill our every need. Jobs, relationships, possessions, dreams, money, can all becomes first things in our hearts. We believe the lie that they will fill our deepest desires, but instead they leave us panting, our thirst never quenched.

Because our soul is made to be filled by God alone, nothing else will satisfy. Jesus referred to Himself as “living water.” He is the Source of the refreshment for which our soul longs. Filling our desire and longings with Him is the only way our thirst will be quenched.

He has plenty of this living water. It will never run out. It will fill your soul with more joy than any relationship, dream, experience or material possession ever could. We were made to enjoy sweet communion with God and our hearts are restless until we do.

For more on this living water: Psalm 73:25, Revelation 7:17, John 4:13,14, John 7:37-39, Isaiah 12:3.

Copyright © 2012 Christina Fox, All Rights Reserved

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Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

Some days my head hits the pillow hard. I lay there thinking “I can’t do this another day.” I’m not only physically tired, but emotionally and mentally as well. Between refereeing conflicts between siblings, homeschool, church responsibilities and the chores, I am spent. Yet, exhausted as I am, my mind runs long into the night. I think about the projects I promised the church I would complete. I remind myself of countless things I need to do for homeschool the next day. I think about people I need to call but haven’t.

Life is hard and it’s tiring. As moms, we are known to give and give and give some more. We juggle many hats and many responsibilities. Children use up all our patience and energy. Our minds are usually full of to-do lists, burdens and worries, if-onlys, and I-need-to’s.

Even a juggler can’t juggle forever. Eventually we wear out and get burned out.

It is such a comfort to know that God never grows weary. He never needs rest. He’s never burdened. And there’s no problem too big for Him.

I also take great comfort in knowing that He is faithful and His love is everlasting. He promised Israel in Isaiah 40 that He would give strength to the weary. He knew how much we labor under sin. He knew we needed rescue from our burdens. He sent His Son who carried the greatest burden for us so we wouldn’t have to.

This same Son knows what it is to be tired, to experience sorrow, and what trials and challenges come with this life. He took on skin like ours and shared in our sufferings. What great hope this brings!

This passage reminds us that our hope indeed is in the Lord. When we hope in Him and believe His promises, our strength is renewed.

Feeling burned out? Know that your Savior carried that same burden to the cross. Know that He wants to strengthen you even today through the power of the gospel of grace. He has taken our burdens and given us wings to soar. He did so that day on the cross over 2,000 years ago and He continues to do so this very day as well.

May this be your confidence and hope.

For further reading: Jeremiah 31:3, Psalm 23, Exodus 15:2, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 11:28-30

Copyright © 2012 Christina Fox, All Rights Reserved

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“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Do you freely come to God, no matter what is happening in your life? I don’t often enough. Especially when I’ve sinned.  When I’ve messed up with my kids, yelled or said something unkind, the last thing I do is come before God.

In fact, I’m more likely to stay away for a while until I feel worthy. This passage describes the throne as belonging to our gracious God. When Christ died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in two. The barrier separating sinner from our holy God was removed. Christ has made us worthy to come before the throne of God. We don’t have to purify ourselves or clean up our mess before we approach Him. Jesus already did that.

Even when my life is a mess and I struggle with sin, I can still come boldly. At the throne, I will receive mercy. He gives me mercy for my past sins and grace to help me through whatever is going on in my life.

We have so much to gain when we approach Him boldly–and nothing to fear. When the whispers of doubt creep in, we must remember His grace and mercy. He desires real relationship with us, not one where we withdraw in fear.

Will you enter His throne room boldly today?

For further reading: Ephesians 3:12, John 1:16, 2 Thess. 2:16-17, Matthew 11:28-30

Copyright © 2012 Christina Fox, All Rights Reserved

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