INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 63
David's Psalm 63 is a song written in the wilderness. He has been unable to get to his usual place of worship - the Temple in Jerusalem - but David still has a desperate longing for God. He wants to develop this relationship with His Father God, truly understanding what it `means to be fully satisfied in Him alone'. (C. Swindoll, 2012)
I have been so busy over the years - doing volunteer work, improving my learning and developing my career. Now there is nothing wrong with this, for my greatest desire has been to care for others; but now I have an opportunity to spend some real time in prayer and meditating on the Word. But why am I resisting it? Am I career orientated? Is it my pride? Do I worry too much about what others think about me, rather than putting God first? After all, isn't developing my relationship with my Father what I have always earnestly sought in my life?
While in the wilderness David made a number of decisions that would help him develop his relationship with Father God:
- He decided to develop a mental picture of Him.
- He decided to express praises to Him.
- He decided to meditate on all He knew about Him.
- He decided to sing for joy and rejoice in God. (C. Swindoll, 2012)
No matter if you are in the wilderness, or whatever your circumstances, your Father God wants to develop a relationship with you. You can come and be in His presence and find a time of refreshment. But the decision is yours, and you have to make the time!
"You God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water." Psalm 1:1
1. DEVELOP A MENTAL PICTURE OF GOD - Read Verses 1&2
David was alone, removed, separated from his friends, literally feeling the effects of hunger and thirst, pain, loneliness and exhaustion. What he sought most was communion with God. He couldn't go to the tabernacle to meet with the Lord, so he created a picture of Him "in power and glory on His Heavenly Throne." (C.Swindoll, 2012)
"I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory." Psalm 63:2
Since touring with the Circus, I haven't been able to go to Church as often as I would like. In the past 12 months I have hardly gone at all. At first the guilt was overwhelming, and I allowed my relationship with God to suffer. I especially missed my communion and fellowship with other believers. So I started creating my own ways of worshipping, and I soon found I was meeting with the Lord more often than just on Sundays. I read my Bible more, I started reaching out to Christians of other faiths, and I started my prayer circle on line. I still miss my Church and friends, but I am certain my relationship with my Father is growing and I continue to seek to have communion with Him.
2. HE DECIDED TO EXPRESS PRAISE TO GOD - Read Verses 3-5
Praise is deeply significant in our personal relationship with the Father. It is a consistent flow of appreciation for what God has done for us in our everyday circumstances. It is also an important aspect of our prayer life!
THANKSGIVING - 'Expression to God in gratitude for His specific blessings and gifts to us'.
PRAISE - 'Expressions of adoration to God, expressing words of honour to Him for His character, His Name, His Word, His glory etc." (C. Swindoll, 2012)
"Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 (NKJV)
"Then David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly: "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the Heavens and on the earth is yours, O Lord, and this is Your Kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things."
1 Chronicles 29:10&11 (NLT)
David found personal satisfaction, and we can too, in expressing praise to the Lord, not for what He has done, but simply for who He is; and it is amazing how our relationship with Him will grow.
"Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you. I will praise you as long as I live, lifting my hands to you in prayer." Psalm 63:3&4
3.HE DECIDED TO MEDITATE ON THE LORD - Read Verse 6
"The Hebrew word for meditation is "to utter, ponder, devise, plot." It involves a conscious consideration of information during the day." Charles Swindoll, 2012
When we meditate on God's Word, we gain understanding and a closer understanding with the Author.
"For my Words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight." Psalm 49:3
"I lie awake thinking of You, meditating on You through the night." Psalm 6:3
The night time may not be the best time for meditation for some people, but whatever time suits you, spend that time learning and growing and you will be amazed what you glean from the Word and its Author.
4. HE DECIDED TO SING FOR JOY & REJOICE IN GOD - Read Verses 7-11
David was in the wilderness and he sought an audience with no one, except that of His Father God. God was the single object of His worship. In His Father's presence He was relaxed and sang for joy.
"Because you are my helper, I will sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your strong hand holds me securely." Psalm 63:7&8
David closed this Psalm by penning a portrait of his circumstances. He was surrounded by His enemies - people criticized and slandered him. Yet still, in the midst of it all, he was able to REJOICE IN GOD. (C.Swindoll, 2012)
He had a future to look forward to, for God had chosen him as king, and he would always have the Lord's protection. No matter what your circumstances look like now - you may still be in the wilderness- but Your Father has promised you a future in His presence, where you can look forward to a time of refreshment.
"But the king will rejoice in the Lord; all who swear by God will glory in Him, while the mouths of liars will be silenced." Psalm 63:11
CONCLUSION
Psalm 63 is a wonderful psalm of encouragement, and we are reminded later in the Gospels, by Jesus himself, that He, along with His Father, takes care of all our needs. (M.Lucado, 2003)
"Then Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and carry a heavy burden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
If we follow David's lessons in this Psalm: Worship, Praise, Meditation and Expressions for Joy and hope in God's protection; we can remind ourselves of God's promises, and look ahead to a beautiful relationship with our Father and His Son Jesus Christ.
The Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011, Biblical.
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, 1982, Thomas Nelson
The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2007, Tyndale House Foundation
LUCADO, Max, "Six Hours One Friday" The Devotional Bible, New Century Bible, 2003, Thomas Nelson
SWINDOLL,Charles, "Living the Psalms: The Grind of Ritual Religion". Worthy Publishing
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