βMy soul thirsteth for God, for the living Godβ (Psa. 42:2).
For years we supposed that the term βthe living God,β in the above passage, had reference to Godβs power to help, in contrast to the impotence of dead heathen idols. A careful examination of the context, however, leads us to believe that it has rather to do with His ability to respond. The gods of the heathen, by contrast, were like childrenβs dolls; they could not even change their countenance or respond in any way.
βThe idols of the heathen are silver and gold, the work of menβs hands. They have mouths, but they speak not; eyes have they, but they see not; They have ears, but they hear not, neither is there any breath in their mouthsβ (Psa. 135:15-17).
But the true God is a living God. He does see, hear and respond. The Psalmist, in Psalm 42, compares himself to a stag, panting with thirst. It is sometimes supposed that the scene is one of a stag pursued in the chase, but the passage says nothing of this. Palestine is a dry land and entirely apart from being hunted down, a deer might well pant for streams of running water.
Be this as it may, the stag, in this passage, is not seeking for help; he is thirsting for refreshment, and so did the Psalmist long for the refreshment of fellowship with God, the living God.
How wonderful it is that we may know the living God through faith in Christ! This is why the Apostle Paul declares in Heb. 10:19:
βHaving therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesusβ¦ a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us through the veil, that is to say, His flesh. β
By His death at Calvary our Lord tore away the veil that kept us from entering into Godβs presence, and now in response to our need He says:
βLet us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of needβ (Heb. 4:16).
Yes, God is a living God! source
