ServantOne
Helping Others Get To Where They Want To Go
Thirsting For Him
“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.”
– Psalms 63:1 NLT
The king of Israel was being hunted by his own son Absalom. In a barren land, the psalmist bore his burden. In exile, he examined his heart and in earnestness expressed a deep and desperate need. David was surrounded by desert, yet there was no desert in his heart.
The psalmist proclaims a passionate and purposeful pursuit. David’s thirst could only be satisfied by the Savior of his soul. Spurgeon illustrates, “Thirst is an insatiable longing after that which is one of the most essential supports of life; there is no reasoning with it, no forgetting it, no despising it, no overcoming it by stoical indifference.” Just as a man’s thirst for water in a wasteland needs to be quelled, so David’s thirst for God had to be quenched.
Only his Father’s attention, affection and adoration would address his affliction.
His Presence. David wrote, “I have seen You in your sanctuary and gazed upon Your power and glory.” (Ps 63:2 NLT). Sitting at His feet is our satisfaction. Our God is always there. Tozer writes, “We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts.”
His Passion. David’s longing was satisfied with God’s love, “Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You!” (Ps 63:3 NLT). God’s love is unfailing and His love is unyielding. His love is infinite and intimate. Augustine wrote, “God loves each of us as if there were only one of us.”
His Praise. As a parched pilgrim, David had to praise and pray. He proclaims, “I will praise You as long as I live, lifting up my hands to You in prayer.” (Ps 63:4 NLT). Gill writes of David’s abandonment for adoration, “so he determined to do as long as he had life and being; by proclaiming His blessedness, by ascribing blessing and honour to Him, and by giving Him the glory of all mercies temporal and spiritual.”
His Protection. In his affliction, David was assured that he would never be abandoned or alone. The psalmist acknowledges, “for You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me”. (Ps 63:7-8ESV). Paul reminds us, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Tim 4:18 ESV)
Drink in His presence, His passion, His praise and His protection. Desire Him . . . as a desperate, deserted and drying man . . . and our God will deliver. You will never thirst, again.
ServantOne 