Scripture Reading(s)
Psalm 63:1-8
63:1 O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
63:2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.
63:3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.
63:4 So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
63:5 My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast, and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
63:6 when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
63:7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I sing for joy.
63:8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.
Reflections
Putting our full and utter dependency on someone to take care of our needs is not a natural instinct for us to do. Most of the time our natural reaction is to try and take care of the situation ourselves and be in control of our own lives and future.
Here the Psalmist is playing his full and complete confidence in God to meet his needs. He is surrendering his life to the one who can take control of all that goes in his life.
Lately I have been struggling with the concept of being able to find as the Psalmist says water in a dry and thirsty land. My “thirsty land” is wanting to make sure that everything is perfect and that my own plan will go exactly how I picture it. Letting go and trusting that God’s steadfast love will get me through any situation can sometimes be so challenging because what makes sense in my head is often times not what God has in mind.
However, as I stop and reflect on all the times God’s plan has trumped my own I can honestly say with great confidence that whatever I had in mind is no match to what God has outlined for my life. Since our God is all knowing, He sees the future and sees how my own choices might lead me to harm or might make me miss out on the greatest blessing He has in store for me. I want my prayer to be ” My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me” (vs 68). Make that your prayer as well and trust that God is taking care of your every need.
How satisfied in the Lord are we? Do we seek for the things of this world to satisfy us?
David lifted his hands in praise whether he was happy or distressed. He sought the Lord in all circumstances. Because of his desire to be with the Lord he was sustained by God and not the things this world has to offer. His satisfaction was even described as that of a full mealier a feast!
My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast (Psalm 63:5)
If you are struggling in this area I recommend copying David’s methods.
So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.
my mouth praises you with joyful lips. when I think of you on my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
[Featured image from jonglass.me]