January 10

Comfort Food

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? (Psalm 42:2).

Scripture: Psalm 42

Song: “As Thirsts the Hart for Water Brooks”

Living abroad causes moments when you so desperately crave food from your native country that you think you won’t survive another day without it. Thankfully, our friends and family in the U.S. understand that, and one of the special gifts they give us when we are home is food. Deer steak, strawberry shortcake, sandwiches loaded with deli meat and spicy mustard, crawfish étouffée, and beef just make life better. They are the flavors of my home.

The author of this psalm wants God so badly he can taste it. He says his soul thirsts for God. In the midst of suffering such torment that tears have been his food day after day and night after night, the psalmist cries out that his one, deep yearning is for God. Being with God will satisfy him, meeting with God will quench the thirst burning in his soul.

The world will offer many false substitutes for God as having the power to comfort us in our sorrow (money, sex, alcohol, and, yes, even food). When our soul is downcast, we should learn the lesson of this psalmist and turn our yearning toward God. Our Father is the only one who can meet our deepest needs and give us hope in times of trouble.

Father, we want more of You in our lives. We ask that You meet us in the deep places of our lives and give joy, strength and renewal to our souls. In Christ we ask, amen.