Psalms 54; 63
O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. – Psalm 63:1 NLT
Do you ever have those wilderness moments – those times when nothing seems to go right? Your job may not be going as well as you would like or you may not be making as much money as you think you need. Maybe you find yourself not doing well physically or emotionally. Your marriage may be struggling or your kids may be rebelling. It could be that you find yourself alone and lonely. Your world is not as you had hoped it would be. Your life seems to be one constant struggle. What do you long for in those moments? Release? More money? Better health? A healed marriage? A compliant child? A friend?
David found himself in the desert – literally. He was running from a madman who wanted to take his life. He had lost everything – his wife, his best friend, his mentor, his job, and seemingly, his opportunity to be the next king of Israel. He had been anointed the king by Samuel the prophet, handpicked by God Himself. But now he was little more than a fugitive with a bounty on his head and no place to call his home. Yet in spite of all that had happened in his life, David had a thirst for God. He craved God more than anything else. His circumstances produced in him a hunger and thirst for God that was insatiable. Because He knew that God was the solution to ALL his problems. God was NOT just the source to supply his needs. God was who David needed and he knew it. A palace wouldn't improve David's life. An end to his fugitive lifestyle would not meet David's need. Better food wouldn't satisfy David's needs. In fact, David said, "You satisfy me more than the richest of foods. I will praise you with songs of joy" (Psalms 63:5 NLT). David was in the wilderness and was learning that God was all he really needed. Nothing more. Listen to his words: "If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection. Because you've always stood up for me, I'm free to run and play" (Psalms 63:6-7 NLT). Is that how you feel when you find yourself in a wilderness moment? When you wake up at night, unable to sleep, is God the first thing that come to your mind? Are you more grumpy than grateful? Does your soul pursue God or does it seek solutions to your problems? David's lack was a reminder of what he really needed: God. What does your lack make you thirsty for?
Father, I want to want You more than anything else. When I find myself in need of anything, may I realize that what I really need is You. Nothing can supply my needs like You can. More money only makes me less dependent on You. More peace only makes me less likely to turn to You because I think all is well. More friends give me less time for You. More material possessions only tend to make me less satisfied. What I need is You. May my soul increasingly thirst for You and nothing else. Amen