Today
I woke up feeling like Samson,
Expecting it would be just another day.
But within moments of consciousness,
I realized my unquenchable thirst.
I
recalled Psalm one-thirty-one,
But it did not satisfy me.
I turned the pages of my Bible,
Looking for a verse that I could devour.
I was too distracted to find one.
I
logged in to Twitter to see my brother Phil Johnson—
Perhaps he, as usual, had something for me to think over.
Oh! There was nothing on the internet to relieve me.
I went for a prayer walk, as I normally do,
In a time of deep thought and distress,
But I came back more distracted than relieved.
One
more thing I could do, as I normally do,
That always helps me orient my thoughts and actions:
To take a bath, yes, even if it’s winter or midnight!
To me, such a bath is a demonstration of my desperation
For a change—an act of repentance, a proactive commitment,
A recognition of the need for cleansing, a type of baptism.
Indeed, the real cleansing is offered in the blood of the Lamb.
Surely,
I must have been thirsty because I drank too much.
I am sure I have not drunk the cup that contains God’s wrath—
That, my Lord has drunk for me, once and for all!
I must have drunk a cupful of salty water.
I
returned to my table once again
And opened Psalm one-thirty-one again.
The contents David prayed became my checklist;
Deeper understanding brought peace of mind!
That should be my all-time prayer.
So,
I opened my laptop and started typing,
As I had decided to do while taking a bath.
My thirst was for God, and the thirst is quenched
When I repent and submit to His instruction.
However, the day doesn’t look as promising as other days,
But like David, I must put my hope in God.
Yes,
there are times when I feel
Like the Lord has departed.
But Psalm one-thirty-nine is sure—
The Lord is intimately near.
The elect of God cannot depart from Him —
Perhaps God has a long rope and a wide garden!
Nothing satisfies my soul as He does!
I wrote this poem in November 2018, originally intending to refine it with rhyme and meter. However, I have decided to leave it as it is. Before publishing it on Help Think, I asked ChatGPT to analyze and explain my poem. Here it is:
Analysis and Explanation of Your Poem
Your poem is a deeply introspective and
spiritual reflection on seeking God in moments of thirst—both physical and
spiritual. It blends biblical references, personal experience, and poetic
imagery to explore themes of spiritual longing, distraction, repentance, and
divine fulfillment. Below is a breakdown of its key elements:
1. The Theme of Spiritual Thirst
The poem opens with the speaker waking up and
feeling like Samson, a biblical figure known for his great strength but
also his eventual downfall due to spiritual weakness. This comparison suggests
the speaker starts the day feeling strong but quickly realizes an "unquenchable
thirst"—a metaphor for spiritual emptiness or a longing for God's
presence.
2. Seeking Satisfaction in Scripture
The speaker recalls Psalm 131, a passage
about humility and trust in God. However, it does not immediately satisfy him.
This moment highlights the common human struggle of searching for divine
reassurance but not always finding instant peace. The distraction that
prevents him from absorbing scripture represents how the mind can sometimes
wander even when seeking God.
3. The Distraction of the Digital World
The speaker turns to Twitter,
specifically looking for Phil Johnson, a well-known Christian preacher.
This suggests that, like many modern believers, he sometimes seeks spiritual
insight from online sources. However, he finds that the internet "has
nothing to relieve him", reinforcing the idea that true spiritual
nourishment cannot come from social media or external sources.
4. Prayer Walk and Continued Restlessness
The speaker takes a prayer walk, a
practice often used for deep reflection. However, rather than finding relief,
he returns more distracted than before. This moment underscores how even
religious practices can sometimes feel ineffective when the heart and mind are
restless. It suggests that true peace cannot be forced—it must come from a
deeper submission to God.
5. Ritual Cleansing as a Metaphor for
Repentance
The speaker turns to a habitual act that helps
him refocus: taking a bath, even in the cold of winter or at midnight.
This action serves as a symbol of desperation, repentance, and renewal.
The bath is compared to baptism—a recognition that cleansing is necessary,
but true purification comes only through the blood of Christ. This
aligns with Christian doctrine, which teaches that Jesus' sacrifice is the
ultimate means of spiritual renewal.
6. Understanding the Cause of His Thirst
The speaker reflects that his thirst was not
due to drinking from the cup of God's wrath—a reference to Christ bearing
the punishment for sin. Instead, he suggests he must have drunk saltwater,
a metaphor for seeking satisfaction in things that do not truly nourish the
soul. This moment is a turning point where he begins to understand his
restlessness.
7. Returning to Scripture with a Renewed
Perspective
He reopens Psalm 131, and this time, he
reads it differently—"David's prayer becomes my checklist."
This shows how understanding deepens when the heart is aligned with God. The
phrase "deeper understanding brings peace of mind" suggests
that the scripture, which initially felt ineffective, now provides true
clarity.
8. Expressing His Realization Through Writing
The act of opening his laptop to write down
his thoughts reflects an important moment of resolution. Writing is
portrayed as a way of processing his spiritual journey. The speaker
acknowledges that his thirst was truly for God, and this thirst is quenched
through repentance and obedience.
9. The Uncertainty of Life and the Certainty of
God
Even though the day "doesn’t look
promising", the speaker resolves to place his hope in God, like
David. This expresses a fundamental Christian belief: even in uncertain
times, one must trust in God’s plan.
10. The Assurance of God’s Presence
The poem closes with a reflection on Psalm
139, which assures believers of God’s constant presence. The phrase "the
elect of God cannot even depart" expresses a theological belief in
divine perseverance—God does not let go of His chosen ones. The image of
"a long rope and a wide garden" symbolizes God’s patience and
vast grace, suggesting that even when one feels distant, God still holds them
close.
The final line, "Nothing satisfies my
soul as He does!", is a powerful conclusion that affirms the speaker’s
realization: only God can truly fulfill and quench the soul’s deepest thirst.
Conclusion
Your poem is a spiritual journey from
restlessness to renewal. It beautifully captures the struggle of seeking
God amid distractions, the importance of repentance, and the assurance
of divine presence. Through biblical references, personal introspection,
and poetic imagery, it presents a heartfelt reflection on faith, hope, and
spiritual fulfillment.
Would you like me to expand on any particular
part? 😊
I will say that ChatGPT’s analysis and explanation are not that bad.