thirsty for His presence

BY Amanda Bible Williams

Intro to Rhythms of the Word

We started She Reads Truth a year and some change ago with the sole goal of women truly reading the Bible together and allowing the Lord to grow and shift them through it.

When we pick up this amazing offensive weapon (Ephesians 6:17 , Hebrews 4:12) that God has given us to fight for our freedom and for those around us, we have to not only look at it but also look through it and enter into what it says and what it means for us.

These scriptures are some that are super meaningful to our writers, and we want to hear from you – What is God speaking to your heart from them? Our encouragement is to sit in God’s Word – do a little background study, figure out the context, draw it out on paper, meditate on it, talk to your sister or your friend about what it means, answer the questions, or maybe just read it – for the first time or for what feels like the first time.

Get in the rhythm of reading the Word and recognizing that it is His truth for you, today.

Day One: Thirsty for His Presence

Text: Psalm 143

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
give ear to my pleas for mercy!
In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
² Enter not into judgment with your servant,
for no one living is righteous before you.

³ For the enemy has pursued my soul;
he has crushed my life to the ground;
he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
⁴ Therefore my spirit faints within me;
my heart within me is appalled.

⁵ I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all that you have done;
I ponder the work of your hands.
⁶ I stretch out my hands to you;
my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

⁷ Answer me quickly, O Lord!
My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
⁸ Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
for to you I lift up my soul.

⁹ Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
I have fled to you for refuge.
¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
on level ground!

¹¹ For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life!
In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
¹² And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
for I am your servant.

Have you ever been truly soul-weary, parched and desperate for the Lord? How does it make you feel to hear David, a biblical hero and strong man of God, describing these same feelings?

When was the last time you mediated on all God has done and allowed the reality of His good works to quench the dryness of your soul?

If you or someone you love is spiritually crushed and sitting in darkness, won’t you pray through this Psalm of David and ask the Lord to pour out His presence and peace even now? His love is steadfast and His grace sufficient.