A psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah (preface to Psalm 63).
Being in a desert place, you would expect David to say things like, “my soul thirsts,” “my flesh longs,” and “I am in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.”
But what’s unexpected is what David found that satisfied. Not food and water, but “my soul thirsts for You,” “my flesh longs for You,” and “O God, You are my God.”
David knew that when outward conditions were at their worst, his focus needed to be at its best—and it needed to be on God. So David made the following commitments:
- Early will I seek You
- I have looked for You
- I remember You on my bed
- I meditate on You in the night watches
- My lips shall praise You
- My soul follows close behind You
- I shall rejoice in God
Because of these commitments, David could reach the following conclusions:
- Your lovingkindness is better than life
- My soul is satisfied
- I will rejoice in the shadow of Your wings
- Your right hand upholds me
David found joy in the desert by changing his focal point!
I can reach the same conclusions that David reached, IF I am willing to make the same commitments David made.
In the desert places, I must deliberately and continually turn my eyes and thoughts FROM the desert TO God’s goodness.
Craig T. Owens 