AS THE DEER PANTS FOR THE WATER
(HYMN-Based on Psalm 42)
As the deer pants for the water
So my soul longs after You
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
[Refrain]
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
[Verse 2]
I want You more than gold or silver
Only You can satisfy
You alone are the real joy giver
And the apple of my eye
[Refrain]
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
[Verse 3]
You're my friend and You're my brother
Even though you are a King
I love You more than any other
So much more than anything
[Refrain]
You alone are my strength, my shield
To You alone may my spirit yield
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship You
Exalt: “As the Deer Pants for the Water”Empower: Ezekiel 47:1, 9,12; Revelation 21:22, 22:1-2,17; Isaiah 44:3, 55:1; John 4:14, 7:37-39
Rivers of Living Water
Sa Ezekiel 47, nakita ni Ezekiel ang isang ilog na umaagos mula sa templo (a prophetic symbol to give hope to Israel). Habang lumalalim ang tubig at patuloy na umaagos, nagdadala ito ng buhay saanman ito makarating ."and everything will live wherever the river goes.”(Ezekiel 47:9b) It makes the Dead Sea’s waters fresh; fish become abundant; trees grow along its banks (continually produce fruits for food; leaves for healing). Ito’y kahalintulad ng nakitang pangitain ni Juan sa Pahayag 22:1-2: ang tanging kaibahahan – “...ang ilog ng tubig na nagbibigay-buhay... ay bumubukal mula sa trono ng Diyos at ng Kordero. This goes beyond the imagery of a physical temple; it speaks of God’s Presence.
Sa Ezekiel 47, nakita ni Ezekiel ang isang ilog na umaagos mula sa templo (a prophetic symbol to give hope to Israel). Habang lumalalim ang tubig at patuloy na umaagos, nagdadala ito ng buhay saanman ito makarating ."and everything will live wherever the river goes.”(Ezekiel 47:9b) It makes the Dead Sea’s waters fresh; fish become abundant; trees grow along its banks (continually produce fruits for food; leaves for healing). Ito’y kahalintulad ng nakitang pangitain ni Juan sa Pahayag 22:1-2: ang tanging kaibahahan – “...ang ilog ng tubig na nagbibigay-buhay... ay bumubukal mula sa trono ng Diyos at ng Kordero. This goes beyond the imagery of a physical temple; it speaks of God’s Presence.
Isaiah also prophesied of this living water. Sapagkat binigyan kita ng tubig na pamatid uhaw at babasa sa iyong lupang igang. Ibibigay ko ang aking Espiritu sa iyong lahi at pagpapalain ko sila (Isaiah 44:3).
Malinaw na mula sa mga isinulat na pangitain at hula (prophetic symbols) nina Ezekiel, Isaiah (and even Zechariah)
nanggaling ang sinabi ni Hesus sa napakahalaga at huling araw ng Pista ng Tolda (Feast of the Tabernacles) upang gisingin ang mga tao sa tunay na pinagmumulan ng buhay.
Nang dumating ang huli at pinakamahalagang araw ng pista, tumayo si Jesus at sinabi nang malakas, “Ang sinumang nauuhaw ay lumapit sa akin at uminom (Juan 7:37 ASND).
Ang Pista ng mga Tolda (Sukkot) ay pag-alaala sa paglalakbay ng Israel sa ilang at sa katapatan ng Diyos (God’s provision of food and water). Sa huling araw ng pagdiriwang (8th day), ginaganap ang “Hoshanah Rabbah” kung kalian kumukuha ang mga pari ng tubig mula sa Bukal ng Siloam (Pool of Siloam) at ibinubuhos sa altar habang nananalangin para sa ulan. [Note: The water-drawing ceremony associated with Sukkot was a later Jewish tradition/custom; not explicitly commanded by God in the O.T.]
This makes John’s description especially striking. In the middle of this water-centered festival, Jesus shouted: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.” Jesus knew the deepest need/longing of man, and He alone could satisfy that need! True satisfaction can only be found in Jesus (not in what the world could give; man’s deepest need is internal, not external). Ang pagkawalay ng tao sa Diyos (spiritual death) ay nagdulot ng pagdurusa, hirap, pasakit, karamdaman, at kapaguran sa buhay niya. The life of Christ reverses that condition (from death to life). Ang Kanyang paanyaya ay para sa lahat (it is inclusive and universal); sino ka man, anuman ang nakaraan mo - “you are invited! Go to the Water of Life!”
“Sapagkat sinasabi sa Kasulatan na dadaloy ang tubig na nagbibigay-buhay mula sa puso ng sumasampalataya sa akin. (Ang tubig na tinutukoy ni Jesus ay ang Banal na Espiritu...” Remember, believers are now the temple of God (because the True Temple, Jesus, is IN us)! Maging malinaw sa atin na sa simula pa, ito na ang ninanais at plano ng Diyos sa tao – a life in fellowship with God, that is, to give man an eternal life (hence, the tree of life in Genesis). His Life-giving Presence or the indwelling presence of His Spirit is the best gift that we have received. The “rivers of living water” illustrate the superabundant grace of God. God’s life (His Spirit) is not scarce or limited. The Holy Spirit inspires, directs, instructs, influences and empowers us to be witnesses of Christ. Maging daluyan (channel/conduit) tayo ng Espiritu ng Diyos upang magdala ng buhay (eternal life), kaginhawahan (refreshment and restoration) at pagpapala (blessing) sa maraming tao.
Elevate: Application Questions:
1. " Ang sinumang uminom ng tubig na ibibigay ko sa kanya ay hindi na muling mauuhaw kailanman.” (John 4: 14a) Paano mo ito nauunawaan ngayon?
2. Sa paanong paraan maaaring dumaloy mula sa iyong puso (innermost being) “ang tubig na nagbibigay buhay”?
