Questions for Reflection from Psalm 63
Who or what do you live for? What do you need to be happy in this life? What, if taken away, would cause absolute devastation and loss?
I found it helpful this morning to contrast the heart desires of David in Psalm 63 with my own heart’s desires. David, it should be noted, is in a wilderness as he writes this Psalm. His dry, barren surroundings don’t extinguish his desire for the Lord or his seeking after Him one bit.
I don’t know your situation today, but maybe you’ve found yourself in a “wilderness”. Seasons of dryness, waiting, want, uncertainty, or just plain wandering with no clear direction can all feel like a wilderness.
I’ve certainly experienced these times. Sometimes I’ve chosen to chase things other than God, leaving my spiritual life limp and unfulfilled. Other times, despite my best efforts, I feel weak and distant from God. Feelings are not facts, thankfully, and this is not all up to me. I can’t allow feelings to dictate what I do, what I believe, and what I seek.
I’ve learned that we’ll never be satisfied in this life—NEVER—unless we’re satisfied with God alone.
Are you there today? Unsatisfied? Unsure? Unfulfilled? God is there in your wilderness and this time of wandering is not without purpose. God uses these times to graciously point us back to the one thing that will satisfy our longing heart: Him.
I want to be able to say with David, “Oh God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you.”
Here are the first eight verses of the Psalm below in italics; my questions are in bold to differentiate.
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; Who or what am I seeking?
my soul thirsts for you; What does my heart love and long for?
my flesh faints for you, What makes me physically weak if withheld?
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory. When I go to worship, what am I looking to and beholding?
3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, What do I consider the best thing ever?
my lips will praise you. Who am I praising?
4 So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, What satisfies me?
and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,What comes out of my mouth?
6 when I remember you upon my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night; What do I meditate on and mull over?
7 for you have been my help, Where do I go for help?
and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
8 My soul clings to you; What does my heart cling to?
your right hand upholds me. Who or what do I acknowledge as sustaining me?