Psalm 42

                          Psalm 42

         "As the deer pants for streams of water,

             so my soul pants for you, O God.

         My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.

             When can I go and meet with God?"

                   this morning I looked

                        for streams of water

                              my heart needed God's touch

                        my spirit was dry

                   my body weary

          "My tears have been my

               food day and night,

          while men say to me all day long,

                "Where is your God?"

          These things I remember

                as I pour out my soul;

           how I used to go with the multitude,

                leading the procession to the house of God,

           with shouts of joy and thanksgiving

                among the festive throng."

                              tears have fallen like rain

                         yet where rain and sun collide

                    His gift of rainbows stunning

                                   appear

                                       a promise

                                            of hope

                          for as one life on earth ended ~

                      his spirit welcomed home by Jesus ~

      another life began as a baby took his first breath ~

                       hope in the cry of a newborn

          "Why are you downcast, O my soul?

               Why so disturbed within me?

          Put your hope in God,

               for I will yet praise Him,

               my Savior and my God.

           My soul is downcast within me;

               therefore I will remember You

          from the land of the Jordan,

               the heights of Hermon - from Mt Mizar.

          Deep calls to deep 

               in the roar of Your waterfalls;

          all Your waves and breakers

               have swept over me."

             I went to my mountain stream

                 expecting the trickle of water

                       which has lessened with each

                             passing summer day

                       as drought has overtaken the land

               I had forgotten the brief yet powerful storm

            of earlier this week ~

                  for in the valley rain was but a trace

                 

                the moment I stepped out I heard it ~

                      the sound of waters rushing

                          my heart pounding as

                              I went to the source

                                 of all that sound

                        I stood I soaked it in

                   water furious spilling over 

                        power moving all in its path

                              waterfalls formed

                                 beauty in strength

             "By day the Lord directs His love,

                   at night His song is with me -

                   a prayer to the God of my life."

                 through rushing water

                     I heard His whisper

                        through water splashing

                              I felt His touch 

                   He reminded me I am not alone

                       His grace has carried 

                    His strength has sustained

                                His love knows no limits

                            His mercy no boundaries 

                       in my weakness He promises

                                 to be strong