Do we hunger and thirst for the presence of God? David, in the Psalms, uses some very descriptive similes and metaphors to describe the longing that came from deep within his soul for the presence of God. This need was more intense and urgent to David’s soul than the food and water which is so critical for life itself. In Psalm 42:2, we read, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” And then, in Psalm 63:1, we read, “My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” What the soul of David truly longed for, I believe, was God Himself, not earthly food or water.

David may have experienced many hardships and privations in wilderness places over the course of his life and knew well that deep craving for water and sustenance. But however deep and strong such a temporal longing might be in dry and desolate places, David longed more for God than for life itself. We hear him cry out, “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You” (Ps. 63:3).

Do we have such a longing in our souls for fellowship with our Lord? Indeed, I believe that this soul hunger and thirst for the presence of the Lord should be characteristic of God’s children. But, what if we are not hungering or thirsting so? Like David of old, we must actually seek this spiritual food. David said in Psalm 63:1, “Early will I seek You.” Think of this: our Lord Jesus desires us to seek His presence and His counsel, communion with Himself, and that early and often. We can have as much time as desired with the Lord Jesus. But the Lord will not push Himself on us—we must seek His presence and be ready to sit at His feet and drink in His Word.