Longing For His Presence

Psalm 42:1, 2 ¶ As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?

The sorrow of a godly soul. "My tears have been my meat day and night," &c. David here sets forth—

The object of David’s desire was God, … the living God." David's great longing was not for restoration to his palace and throne, or even to the tabernacle; it was for presence of God.

The cause of his sorrow; David was driven into exile, away from home, family and the tabernacle of God. During his trials he seems to have temporarily lost the sense of the Divine presence and favor of God. The weight and bitterness of the trials led to his inability to realize the presence of God. Under severe afflictions, the soul is apt to feel forsaken. (When trials rage as the rising tide we are inclined to feel forsaken). This was the cause of David's sorrow. He felt himself deserted by God. "Sometimes God teaches us effectually to know the work of mercies by the (lack) want of them. Here his soul is crying out for the living God. He fails to realize the presence of God and cannot be comforted. We all should be so accustomed to the presence of God that, we cannot rest in the absence of it.

— He positions me to prosper —

Positioned For Prosperity, The prosperous way: — The blessing of the Lord is forever. God has ensured us by His word that the way of the believer is a way of prosperity, of influence, happiness and fulfillment. This is one of the most significant promises in the entire bible. "Whatsoever thou doest it shall prosper". No fruitless toil. This promise is not limited to the Old Testament. The promise of God has come on the gentiles. The promise of God is for all the seed of Abraham. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Gal 3:7, Gal 3:9
The thing that I do prospers because the blessing of God is upon it.
— He positions me for prosperity—
Psalms 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
– This is the description of the believer flourishing and being prosperous. The man who avoids the way of sinners, and who delights in and follows the law of the Lord. This is presented in the form of a tree that’s thriving and is fruitful; - a tree planted where its roots would have abundance of water and nutrients. Strategic planted, God has planned for your success.
Planted by the rivers of water – This is not a tree that springs up spontaneously, but one that is put in a favorable place. Success is not luck or chance. It is by design. God has designed a favorable place for your benefit. This tree is strategically planted. Nothing is done random or haphazard. (Haphazard -- characterized by lack of order or planning, by irregularity, or by randomness; determined by or dependent on chance; aimless, helter-skelter ) . God did not intend for you and me to make it up as we go along. God methodically and systematically organized the events of your life. Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.

Man's Miseries!

Man's miseries are often messengers from God messengers of mercy.

Returning to God is a necessity. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge." An intimate acquaintance and fellowship with God are a necessity. Man cries for God as Father, Friend, and Helper. Man lies in distance from God. It’s not a physical distance but a moral distance, an alienation of heart and spirit from God; in affection and purpose, in thought and deed, man is at variance with his Maker. To be absent from a loved one is grief; but to be without God is the greatest infelicity: as in having no hope.

Though fallen and sinful, the soul has not lost its cravings and necessity for God. "The notion of a God," is inseparable from human nature; to deny one it annuls the other." The word of God appeals to our helpless condition, and invites us to return to God. The grace and the Spirit of God are promised to aid us in returning. Our life and enjoyment consist in friendship and in fellowship with God. "This is life eternal, that we might know Him." John 17:3