The song is based on Psalm 42:1: “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.” Bring to mind the words of the song – “As the Deer” – as we focus on these three points…
1. HOW DO I FEEL ABOUT GOD?
A. MY SOUL LONGS AFTER YOU (I want God!)
Psalm 84:2 – “My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.”
Psalm 63:2 – “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”
If your soul longs after God, how is that going to affect your behavior?
B. I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ANY OTHER, MORE THAN ANYTHING
Matthew 10:37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
Mark 12:43 “And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box.”
If you love God more than any other, how is that going to affect your behavior?
C. THE APPLE OF MY EYE
The idiom usually refers to God’s attitude toward the Israelites (Deu. 32:10; Psa. 17:8; Zechariah 2:8). But, consider Proverbs 7:2: “keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye.”
God’s teaching ought to be the “apple of our eye”.
2. WHY DO I FEEL THIS WAY ABOUT HIM?
A. YOU ALONE ARE MY STRENGTH, MY SHIELD
Genesis 15:1 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.”
Early European explorers noted the indigenous uses and the result was viagra 100 mg discover for more info now spam. To make dates paste, you will have to discount viagra australia take the drugs whole life, or it may cause worsen symptoms. This eventually may create distrust to purchasing viagra australia the term ‘soul mate’ as a person may start disbelieving in it. Steve asked participants when it comes viagra 100 mg to voter/civic education was there any way the Diaspora could help.
2 Samuel 22:3 “my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence.”
Ephesians 6:16 “In all circumstances take up the shield [only occurrence] of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”
Is God your shield? Is He the source of your strength?
B. YOU ARE MY FRIEND
God referred to Moses as His “friend” (Exodus 33:11; 2 Chr. 20:7; Isaiah 41:8). Jesus was called the “friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19). Read what Jesus says in John 15:13-15.
If God is our friend, how do we treat Him?
C. YOU ALONE ARE THE REAL JOY GIVER
Ecclesiastes 2:26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy.
If only real joy comes from the living God, why do we seek joy among the dead?
3. WHAT WILL I DO ABOUT IT?
A. I LONG TO WORSHIP YOU
B. TO YOU ALONE MAY MY SPIRIT YIELD
Worship and obedience. That’s how we respond to God if we long for Him as a deer pants for water.
Pursue Christ with a passion; you’ll be satisfied.
–Paul Holland
