Where No Water Is
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Psalm 63:1-8
1. O God, thou art my God, I seek thee, my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee, as in a dry and weary land where no water is. 2. So I have looked upon thee in the sanctuary, beholding thy power and glory. 3. Because thy steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise thee. 4. So I will bless thee as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on thy name. 5. My soul is feasted as with marrow and fat, and my mouth praises thee with joyful lips, 6. when I think of thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the watches of the night; 7. for thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of thy wings I sing for joy. 8. My soul clings to thee; thy right hand upholds me.
My Bible has
Comfort and Assurance in God’s Presence as the heading for this psalm. Then a note follows:
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. I have found it so much easier to marvel at God’s greatness and mighty power when I look upon a mountain or a field of wildflowers than when I’m driving to work on any given morning! When in the “wilderness” we are not so distracted by the world around us--rather it becomes a canvas upon which to view the wonders of God’s handiwork. That’s why I think it so important to place ourselves in nature as often as possible.
I’ve shared with you many times how much I enjoy sitting on my deck when weather permits. I can view the birds and the squirrels and all of God’s creatures, the trees and the sky . . . It’s just amazing. I feel as if I’m in a different time and place when I spend time on that deck, especially early in the morning. I’ve also told you often about how my walking buddy and I meet at 5 am three mornings a week to walk. It has become a holy time for us. We are both so conscious of the sky -- the stars and the stages of the moon. We watch the leaves change color and fall in the autumn and rejoice and marvel together as new life begins to spring forth in the spring!
Our husbands teased us at first, certain that we would not be able to maintain such a schedule -- I, in particular, am not a morning person normally. Those walks have become a vital part of my prayer life and of my walk with God. We find inspiration as we walk, we feel the Holy Spirit so active within us and around us. We share ideas and dreams and a deep bond, knowing that God led us to each other. It is so amazing to feel upheld by God and we have both endured some difficult times in no small part because of our morning walks with God and with each other.
We find ourselves in the mindset of verse one: “O God, thou art my God, I seek thee, my soul thirsts for thee; my flesh faints for thee, as in a dry and weary land where no water is.” We have come to know that only God can satisfy, fulfill, sustain, guide and guard us. We have wonderful husbands, and awesome friends. But in the end it’s only God. We have learned that in the journey of life. We have both testified to God’s love and devotion to those who love him and are devoted to Him.
My prayer today is that your thirst is quenched by your Lord and Savior. And that you cling to Him, upheld by His right hand.
Mary
