Desiring God
There are times in life, aren’t there, when we find ourselves in places or situations where we would rather not be. If we had a say in the matter, if things were down to us, we would choose to be elsewhere. This is where David finds himself in Psalm 63. Absalom, the poster-boy of Israel, has rebelled and almost everyone has sided with him. David is now a fugitive and on the run. And we can be sure, if he could, David would change his circumstances, because no one wants to be where he is right now. Not surprisingly, David is deeply emotional and writes a deeply emotional psalm. But the emotions he expresses are not what we expect, because this is not a lament, but a love song. In this psalm David opens the floodgates of his heart and expresses his deep love and longing for the Lord.
Firstly, notice David’s desire. If you were in his position, what would you want? Remember, David has lost almost everything and is now being hunted like a wild animal. I think most of us would long for the comfort of the old days, wouldn’t we? But this is not David’s great desire. He says in v. 1, ‘O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.’ What David longs for is the Lord. His deepest desires are for him. And notice, it’s not so much what the Lord can do for him, but the Lord himself that he desires. This tells us so much about David. You see, true love desires the person and not what the person can do for you, and this is true of David. He remembers fondly times when he saw something of God (v. 2), and he longs for more. In fact, for David to know God and his love is better than life itself (v. 3). This is our testimony too, isn’t it? There is something about the Triune God that is so desirable, so beautiful. There is such joy in simply knowing him, and we long for more.
“What David longs for is the Lord. His deepest desires are for him. And notice, it’s not so much what the Lord can do for him, but the Lord himself that he desires.”
Secondly, notice David’s satisfaction. In the good old days, before his son’s rebellion, David must have sat down to many a great feast. But the feast he enjoys most is God. Feasting on God gives him the greatest satisfaction. He says in v. 5, ‘My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.’ Considering his circumstances, David could probably do with a good meal right now, but he knows a greater satisfaction and it is his satisfaction in God. He doesn’t while away the night hours dreaming about the feasts he enjoyed in Jerusalem. No, David feasts upon the Lord, as he contemplates all that the Lord is and does for him (v.6). And this is one of the joys of becoming a Christian, isn’t it? Previously we tried to find satisfaction elsewhere, but it never lasted. Then we found what we were looking for in Christ.
Thirdly, notice David’s confidence. Now of everything David says in this psalm, this arguably is the most surprising. What has he to be confident about? He has lost his kingdom, he is hiding in the wilderness, and his son is intent on killing him. Not much grounds of confidence, is there? Yet, David is confident both about the present and the future. He is confident in God. He says in v.7-8, “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.” That last picture is particularly beautiful, isn’t it? Those of you with children, know what it is like to have a small child clinging to you. Perhaps they are tired or afraid and they throw their arms around your neck. But in those circumstances they are not really supporting themselves, are they? Yes, their arms are around you, but your arm is underneath them. And this is how it is with David and God, and it gives him great confidence about the present and the future. David knows all will be well (v.9-11). Perhaps you are very anxious. Things are tough and your faith is beginning to wobble. Friend, rest assured, there is a strong arm underneath you (Deut. 33:27 & Isa. 46:3-4).
Now none of us are where we want to be right now, are we? Last year was a disaster and this year doesn’t look much better. We would change things if we could, wouldn’t we? Well, let’s learn from David. Let’s look to the Lord.
