Psalm 42: 1-3 When the Only Food is Tears

Psalm 42:1-3 When the Only Food is Tears

[1] As a deer longs for flowing streams,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
[2] My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
the face of God?
[3] My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me continually,
"Where is your God?"

What is happening in this scripture? – This beautiful song in Psalms brings many thoughts to mind. The psalmist speaks of a spiritual thirst for a living God coming from our souls. He asks when he will behold the face of God. He says his tears have been his only food, constantly, day and night, and as he weeps, people ask him, just as continually, Where is your God?”

How is this happening in the world today? – It isn’t hard to notice that we human beings thirst for something more in this world. No matter how fortunate or blessed we may be, we know that material things cannot give us spiritual happiness or true peace. They are certainly important, and we cannot live without air, food, clothing, shelter, and medical care. But for lack of a better word, our souls, or spirits have basic needs as well. We need to know that we are loved and that someone needs our love. We cry out our existential questions: Who are we? Where did we come from? Why are we aware of ourselves? Why do we love others, only to lose them? Why are we here? Where are we going? Where is justice? Does anybody really care? How should we live our lives? Indeed, like, the psalmist wrote, these questions are poor food for our spirits and they haunt us, somehow, day and night. We, along with others say to ourselves and to each other, “Where is our God?”
I see many trying to answer these questions with quick, easy comfort. I don’t blame them, because they are scary, troubling questions. Questions to ponder for today: What do people like us know of spiritual thirst? What or who quenches that thirst for you? When have you, or will you behold the face of God? What do you say to yourself, without quickly using someone else’s easy faith, when you ask yourself, or someone else asks you, “Where is your God?”

How is this story my story? -- Eternal spirit, I am filled with gratitude and awe for the reality and grace of your encounter, happening when I least expect it, and in from the most surprising sources. I am silenced by the receipt of your quiet grace, solemn dignity, and peace. Help me to somehow express this reality to others, even when the only food is tears. – Amen.

Please remember the sick and lonely in your prayers and actions today.