The Panting Soul

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 13, 1856

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. To a mere speculative believer in Christianity, this language may appear extravagant, but it is a portion of the inspired Word. The Holy Spirit never exaggerates. There is such a thing as panting after God. It is a state of mind which every Christian should experience.

The panting soul is one which longs with intense desire for communion with God. The Christian should be content with nothing short of this intense desire. It is not a fanatical, but a most reasonable state of mind. The husband and father, when separated from those dearer to him than life, is not content with making them the subject of occasional thought, and of transient desires. He would feel that he was an unworthy husband and father, if his heart did not burn with an intense desire to be restored to their society. Much more should the Christian cherish an intense desire to meet and commune with his heavenly Father. That Father is the all-perfect. That Father loves him with a love which no human calculus can estimate. The Holy Spirit does not attempt to describe the vastness of that love. “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him might not perish, but have everlasting life.” He has called him with an effectual calling. He has borne with his ingratitude and perverseness. He has crowned his days with loving kindness and tender mercies. Infinite, intrinsic loveliness, and infinite loving kindness towards him should call forth his supreme affection, and awaken an intense desire for conformity to his image, and intimate communion with him.

Many Christians desire to walk more worthy of their vocation. They desire to set a better example, to have a stronger faith, and clearer evidence of their adoption. This is well, but it is not panting after God. God is the true portion of the soul. God is the fountain of holiness. Fellowship with him should be desired above every thing else.

Many wearied with the toils and cares of earth, and groaning beneath the body of sin and death, desire the rest of heaven. They can say, Oh that I had the wings of a dove that I might fly away and be at rest; but they cannot say, as the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Many desire the coming of Christ's kingdom; desire, and make efforts to promote the salvation of souls. This comes short of panting after God and his holiness. Christians ought to desire the salvation of souls with great intensity, but their desires towards God ought to have still greater intensity.

Reader, does your soul pant after God? Is he the object of your chief desire? Thank God for the pledge of eternal glory which you have in that desire. That desire shall be gratified in preference to all others. He whose soul pants after God, shall assuredly have Him for his portion, for time and for eternity.—N. Y. Obs.