Independence = immaturity

Jun 20, 2026

As the Deer Longs for Water

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As a deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God!
I thirst for God, for the living God.
I say, “When will I be able to go and appear in God’s presence?”

Psalm 32:1-2 (NET)

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Such a classic verse.

I’m actually surprised it took me this long to get around to it.

Of course, there are so many wonderful verses in the Bible and it’s hard to hit all the great ones quickly -- even after a year of daily glances!

Anyway, the imagery here is striking:

I always think of a deer in hunting season.

They’ve spent many days living on the edge of life, fearful all day and night.

They’re running everywhere, avoiding open spaces because they know it’s dangerous.

Yet they’re so thirsty that they must brave the danger and grab a drink of soothing, delicious water.

That’s the picture I have of my own desperation when I long for God’s presence.

The Living Water that becomes a well inside of me, springing up to everlasting life.

(Jesus talked about this with the woman at the well in John 4.)

Now, a confession:

I rarely find myself actually craving time with the Lord in this way.

Fortunately, the older I get, the more I long to be with God and in His Word.

It’s part of the upside-down maturing progress of the believer:

We grow more and more dependent on God rather than independent.

There are fewer and fewer things I think I can do on my own. In fact, if I’m honest with myself, I realize there’s nothing I can do on my own.

I need God every hour.

And that’s a sign of maturing.

Just like the deer thirsting for water.

— Ricky Ketchum

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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