Psalm 63:1-3
Thirsting for God: King David’s song when he was exiled in the Judean wilderness
1
O God of my life, I’m lovesick for you in this weary wilderness.
I thirst with the deepest longings to love you more,
with cravings in my heart that can’t be described.
Such yearning grips my soul for you, my God!
2
I’m energized every time I enter
your heavenly sanctuary to seek more of your power
and drink in more of your glory.
3
For your tender mercies mean more to me than life itself.
How I love and praise you, God!
In our passage today, King David is weary of the spiritual drought and loneliness caused by a prolonged stay in the wilderness—a wild field suitable for pasturing. He is facing discomforts and feeling “lovesick” for God! Yet, David understands the same God who created the flourishing garden created the desolate wilderness; there is a divine purpose for both. Therefore, David prays and seeks to love God more; he longs to once again experience God’s love, energy, and power. When you go through difficult times (financial, mental, emotional, spiritual, physical, etc.), you must seek, actively pursue, and passionately love God more, because love brings the victory.
Scripture teaches God will lead all his beloved children to a spiritual wilderness for a time of testing. God did not spare his Son this time of testing even though he was sinless (Mark 1:12-13). In the wilderness, believers will need to stay the course, trust, and press in to find God’s peace and joy in the midst of challenging times. Our flesh will hate the wilderness, but God will use it to help us grow, think, and respond more like Christ—the Word—when we face temptations. In the wilderness, God reveals great truth; the life of the faithful is really about his powerful promises operating in and through them and not their own ability to save themselves (2 Cor. 4:7-10).
Prayer: Lord, like David, I have tasted the wilderness and made the journey through it loving you more. Please use every difficulty I face for your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.