Thirsting After God

Bible Reading: Psalm 63

“O God, you are my God; earnestly 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.” (Psalm 63:1)

While in the wilderness, away from God’s people and God’s temple, David prays a psalm of lament to God, expressing His desires and longings to be able to worship God and enjoy Him again. In the first verse, David shows how his heart longs to see God working in His life again. God never leaves us, but sometimes He hides His face from us. 

In this lockdown, I think we can generalise the fact that all of our spirituality has taken a dip. These are moments where God is testing our faith. He wants us to seek Him. How much do we long for Him? Take the imagery of a sojourner in an arid and scorching desert. Without water, he stumbles and faints and will sooner or later die. The desperation of a desert sojourner for water should be our desperation for God. Do we recognise that our only hope and joy, and satisfaction lies in seeing God’s glory and walking with Him in obedience? If that is missing, we ought to cry out like a dying man. 

“So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,

beholding your power and glory.

Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands.” (Psalm 63:2-4)

Look back at what God has done in the past. Remember how God has shown us His power and glory in our lives, in our churches. Then look back at God’s church throughout history. Remember how God was faithful in the reformation. Remember how God was faithful all the way back to the time of the apostles. Then remember how God made a promise to Abraham to make a nation of God’s own people and see how God loved His people and remained faithful to them throughout the ages even though they rejected Him. Remember how God sent Jesus and never forgot any of His promises. God sent His Son to die and redeem us from sins so that sinners could be ultimately reconciled with God. Then remember that this promise in Christ lasts until eternity. There is an inheritance secure for us in heaven through Christ. All spiritual blessings in the heavenly realms have been given to us. Christ will one day come back and rule over everything. 

Truly, God’s steadfast love is better than life! Therefore, let us praise Him irrespective of our circumstances because our God does not change. He is faithful and always faithful. 

“My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you upon my bed,

and meditate on you in the watches of the night;

for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:5-8)

Yes, we long for the day when we can return to the house of the Lord and worship Him together. However, we can delight and praise God where we are right now. Praise God because His promises satisfy us. Praise God because He is with us even now. Praise God that He is our help, and under His wings, we take refuge. Praise Him and cling wholeheartedly to Him. 

“But those who seek to destroy my life

shall go down into the depths of the earth;

they shall be given over to the power of the sword;

they shall be a portion for jackals.

But the king shall rejoice in God;

who swear by him shall exult,

for the mouths of liars will be stopped.” (Psalm 63:9-11)

What reign does evil have over our circumstances? Christ has won the ultimate victory. He has put death to death. He entered into the problem of evil in order to restore it. Whatever we might face, however ugly the consequences of sin that surround us, we have hope that we can rejoice. God is in control. Those who are on His side need to fear nothing. Trust in God and praise Him forevermore!

Lord, we praise You for Your steadfast love. Please shape faith in our hearts to trust in You no matter what happens. You are our refuge and our delight. In You, we place our hope. Restore again to us visions of Your power and Your glory that we may worship You wherever You place us and in whatever circumstances You decree. Praise be to You who is sovereign! In Jesus’ name, amen.