June 28, 2021: Our Circumstances of Life Can Feel Like We Are All Alone, But God Is Always with Us.

In Psalm 63 has a subscription that says: "A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah." This Psalm highlights the struggles of King David. The setting was when he was in the wilderness (v. 1) and a king (v. 11). Most likely, the occasion is when David was on the run in the wilderness from his rebellious son, Absalom (2 Samuel 15: 1-19: 15). Even though he was in an unimaginable situation, David expressed hope in God’s protection: “Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me”.

Psalm 63: 6-8 (NKJV)

When I remember You on my bed,

I meditate on You in the night watches.

7 Because You have been my help,

Therefore, in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.

8 My soul follows close behind You;

Your right hand upholds me.

Despite being in a “dry and parched land,” when King David remembers God’s power, glory, and love (vv. 1–3), it is as if the desert transforms into a place of God’s care and protection. Like a baby bird hiding in the shelter of a mother’s wings, David finds that when he clings to God, even in that barren place, he can feast “as with the richest of foods” (v. 5), finding nourishment and strength in a love that “is better than life” (v. 3).

Psalms 63: 1-4 (NKJV)

O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. 2 So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory.

3 Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. 4 Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

PERSONNAL COMMENT:

Our circumstances in life can feel like we are walking through a hot desert all alone without any help. But let us not forget...if we have put our faith in God's Son, Jesus Christ, and we have "fully and absolutely surrendered" ourselves to Him, then we too can find the nourishment we need in our desert as well. I like what verse 8 says: "My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me". The concept here is that we are putting God first before ourselves, we must fully follow, (surrender to), God...Not asking God to follow us!