Psalm 63:1-4: My Soul Thirsts For You

Our family had the opportunity to go to Europe this summer. We had the chance to visit relatives in Scotland. I love this picture of the countryside and if you look really, really close you can see the sheep. Or at least I think they're sheep. They could be goats. :)

I can say this is a place where I can find some rest. It is quiet, tranquil and a great place to write and think without the noise of life. But I know my soul can't find rest here.

And David knew he could only find rest in the Creator. This psalm was probably written when he was fleeing from his son Absalom in the wilderness of Judah. He knew God was the only true and living God, the author and end of all things, the Governor and Judge or men and angels and the sole object of his worship. His allegiance was to his Redeemer.

I am amazed how David could write this when his son wanted him dead. Why didn't he say, "Lord, get me out of this situation." "Lord, this is horrible."

But those aren't the words he penned. He wrote something that convicts my soul. "My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for you."

Wait! His son was trying to kill him, he was in the wilderness, and he was probably cold and hungry. But David's soul thirsted for God. It thirsted for His Creator. He had an insatiable longing for Jehovah. And he knew only God could satisfy the craving of a soul. The poet was in a weary place with a weary heart and this made the presence of God even more desirable to him.

He knew God's lovingkindness was better than this temporal life and he praised God with joyful lips.There wasn't a complaint or a grumble coming out of his mouth. If I was cold, hungry, and a fugitive I would probably complain and whine, which makes me sad. I want to long for the Lord like David. I want His word to clothe me like a cloak since God is clothed in splendor and majesty.

David was in continual danger and fear held him and gave him some wearisome nights but he comforted himself with the thoughts of God. And I. And we need to do the same. We need to saturate ourselves with His word. We need to memorize and mediate on the word. His word is our strength and will comfort our weary souls as it did for David.

I think the trials draw us closer to Christ. It reminds us that the best place to sit is at the foot of the cross. It reminds us that only God can restore our souls. It reminds us to cling to Him and remember He is our joy and praise.

Charles Spurgeon said this.
"To dwell with God is better than life and its best; life at ease, in a palace, in health, in honour, in wealth, in pleasures; yea, a thousand lives are not equal to the eternal life which abides in Jehovah's smile."

David didn't long for food or to get out of this situation. His soul thirsted for God. He longed for more of God and not the things of the world.

Yes, we should go to Him in prayer. Yes, it is okay to say, "I'm scared." And the Lord will give us comfort.

But we need to take our eyes off the world and fix them on His word. May we desire this more and more as we walk with our Saviour. May the truth of scripture knit its way into our hearts. And may we remember that Christ is better than anything so we will praise Him.