Thirst for God
Thirst for God / Pastor Chris
Psalm 63
Thirsty for God We don’t know the precise historical setting for this psalm. We only know from the subtitle that David wrote this when he was in the wilderness (desert) of Judah, possibly during the time of Absalom’s rebellion. One of the early church fathers, Chrysostom, shared an early church saying “that no day should pass without the public singing of this psalm.” Many commentators have called this one of the greatest psalms. It is similar to Psalm 42. David has a desire for deeper fellowship with God. David expresses his intense love for the Lord. What a person really desires in life is what he will probably get. Someone said, “Whatever gets your attention will get you.” John Piper commented: “The deepest longing of the human heart is to know and enjoy the glory of God. We were made for this.”
- Seeking God (vs. 1-2) David began by declaring, “You are my God.” Knowing God personally is the high privilege of God’s people. John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
A. When he seeks God – “early will I seek thee” – He seeks God early in the day and earnestly. Psalms 5:3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
B. How he seeks God – “my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee” – He seeks God intensely with his whole person, soul and body. Jeremiah 29:13 And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
C. Where he seeks God – “in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is” – David longs for God like a thirsty traveler in a desert. If you are stranded in a wilderness and without water, only one thing will occupy your mind. You must have water and nothing else matters. David could no more live without God than his body could live without water (Ps. 42:1-2; 84:2; 143:6; Mt. 5:6; Jn. 7:37). C. S. Lewis said: “This world has many amusements, but it has few pleasures.” Things don’t satisfy.
D. Why he seeks God – “to see thy power and thy glory” – David focused on a mental picture of God’s power and glory. He wants to experience God’s power and glory as he did when he worshiped in the sanctuary in Jerusalem. The word “seen” may refer to a vision of God like Isaiah saw (Isa. 6:1-8). Don’t forget in the wilderness what you have experienced in the sanctuary. The words to a song say, “The God of the mountain is the God of the valley.”
2. Praising God (vs. 3-4)
A. He praises God personally – “because thy loving-kindness is better than life” – David knew that God’s steadfast, unconditional love is better than life itself. Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
B. He praises God verbally – He praises God in word and song. Praising God is the natural overflow of a heart that meditates on God. Someone said, “In prayer we act like men, in praise like angels.” God’s covenant love for David caused him to love God in return.
C. He praises God constantly – As long as there is life in his body, he will praise God. Praise is faith turned inside out. Praise is the evidence that God is at work, meeting His people’s needs. David offered spiritual sacrifices to God (Heb. 13:15).
D. He praises God reverently – He was ready to receive God’s blessings by faith. Lifting hands up to the Lord was a way to express prayer and praise ascending up to God and also a symbol of total dependence on God. In Old Testament times believers lifted their hands toward God in reverence. This practice carried over into the New Testament church (1 Tim. 2:8).
3. Remembering God (vs. 5-7) As David remembers God and meditates on the character of God through the night…
A. He is satisfied – His soul is satisfied, just as his body would be satisfied with a lavish feast (vs. 5, NIV “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods”).
B. He is singing – His soul overflows with joyful praise. When we are spiritually full, we just have to praise God. Do we come to church with an empty or a full heart? Do we come to be filled or to overflow?
C. He is secure – He remembers how God has protected him, and feels secure in the shadow of God’s wings. This image of safety is used often in Psalms (Ps. 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 91:4).
4. Clinging to God (vs. 8) In this verse we have a perfect description of the divine-human relationship.
A. He stays close to God – “my soul followeth hard after thee” – This describes submissive trust and active pursuit. God invited and encouraged His people to stay close to Him. Deuteronomy 4:4 But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. See also Deuteronomy 10:20; 13:4.
B. God stays close to him – “thy right hand upholdeth me” – David was clinging to God, and God was upholding him. We hold on to God, but most importantly He holds on to us (Ps. 37:24).
5. Trusting God (vs. 9-11)
A. God will destroy his enemies – David’s enemies will fall in battle. They will go down into the place of the dead and their bodies will be eaten by scavengers (jackals).
B. God will deliver him – David and other believers will glory in God’s victory. “Every one that sweareth by him” is a way of describing God’s people (Deut. 6:13; 10:20). Believers always boast (glory) in the Lord for the things He has done.
TIMELESS TRUTHS: Difficult circumstances can drive us closer to God. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. We are as close to God as we want to be. James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Sleepless nights can be satisfying times in the Lord. Job 35:10 But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night. Joy is always possible when our joy is in the Lord. Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. If you can’t rejoice in your situation, you can still rejoice in your Savior.
