Like a Deer in Search of Water
Psalm 42
“As a deer longs for flowing streams
so my soul longs for you, O God.
“My soul thirsts for God,
for the living God.
When shall I come and behold
the face of God?
“My tears have been my food
day and night
while people say to me continually,
‘Where is your God?’”
– Psalm 42:1 – 3, NRSVUE
Advent is a time for longing. Sometimes faith seems like a path where desires are unwelcome, but this season invites us to name our longings and to desire God’s coming.
In this psalm, the composer identifies with a deer to express their deep desire for God’s presence in a difficult time. The image of this creature seeking to meet its essential need for water helps the psalmist give voice to their lament to God. The prayer doesn’t demean the deer but affirms the needs that both of these living beings long to meet.
The psalmist’s identification with an animal in a moment of vulnerability shows us a way to pray in Advent. It also opens space for attending to the needs of the animals around us and letting their longings shape our Advent prayers too.
With what animals might you identify this Advent?
Get the “Advent with the Earth” Devotional PDF
Credits
Scripture quotations are from the New Revised Standard Version updated edition of the Bible
Image of deer by still water is by John Royle on the Unsplash website
