Three weeks ago, I wrote about Psalm 63, and as I was preparing for today’s devotion, I noticed that Psalm 63 was a part of the “Complementary” passages within the Lectionary for today. I hope that you are all good with me choosing to write some more about this psalm because it has truly ministered to my heart this week, and it is not common for the same passage to be used within weeks in the Lectionary. So, I saw this as a divine gift to comfort my soul as my heart rests in the One Who is my Comforter and your Comforter, Jesus.
If you remember, it is believed that King David is the psalmist and when he wrote this psalm it was mostly likely during a time when he was fleeing from his third son, Absalom, who was seeking to kill him in an effort to overtake his position. We looked at the clear differences between these two men. Absalom sought earthly riches and power here in the temporal realm, thus his life was filled with hatred and fear which consumed his soul and aligned his heart with Satan. While David sought heavenly riches and power in the eternal realm, thus his life was filled with praise and joy which consumed his soul and aligned his heart with God.
Friends, you and I can find ourselves in places like David, maybe we haven’t had a family member seek to kill us, but each one of us has had moments of feeling utterly helpless and completely lost in what is going on in our lives, in the lives of our loved ones, in our communities, and in our world. Within these times and/or places are you searching for Jesus? We absolutely should because “Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.’” (Matthew 11:28-30)
Psalm 63:1-11 (NLT)
A psalm of David, regarding a time when David was in the wilderness of Judah.
1 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.
2 I have seen you in your sanctuary
and gazed upon your power and glory.
3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself;
how I praise you!
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
lifting up my hands to you in prayer.
5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast.
I will praise you with songs of joy.
6 I lie awake thinking of you,
meditating on you through the night.
7 Because you are my helper,
I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
your strong right hand holds me securely.
9 But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin.
They will go down into the depths of the earth.
10 They will die by the sword
and become the food of jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God.
All who swear to tell the truth will praise him,
while liars will be silenced.
Note: Many of you have joined me this past week in praying for the Ludwig family whose 18-year-old daughter, Jillian, was killed by a stray bullet while walking at the park near her college. My daughter attends the same college and although they never met this loss has impacted our family and every heart within and around the Belmont University family. David reminds us that God’s love is unfailing, even in the midst of such tremendous loss and pain. We need to cling to Him, because this world leaves us parched and weary, and only the Living Water can fill and sustain us, He is Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, please continue to be with the Ludwig family. Be their comfort, hope, and peace in such a great time of need. Please be with the Belmont students, faculty, and church. Help the ministers and faculty, who profess Your Name, to shine Your light in this darkness, and may they lovingly guide hurting hearts to You, our Great Healer. Be with each of us today. Help us to shine Your light in this dark world. May we guide hearts to You, Jesus. I ask all of this in Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.