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Thirsty in The Desert

Posted on 05.30.2012

I enjoy reading the Bible. I especially like reading from the Psalms. When I need to express a particular emotion, I will turn to Psalms. Hearing the way I feel expressed in the Word of God validates my feelings. Mind you, I do not live by my feelings, but as a human being, I have a need to have them acknowledged. Any well-trained psychotherapist will tell you that!

One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 63. This Psalm was written by David when he was in the desert. David was not only a great king, but a man who sought after God with all of his heart. He was also a man of great failure. He was a man who repented of his sin and was restored. David wrote much of the Psalms and he was quite real and honest about what he experienced. I like Psalm 63 because this one expresses my spiritual posture most days:

1 Oh God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you;

my souls thirsts for you, my body longs for you,

in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

I am so glad Jesus is my Living Water who supplies the life-giving drink that sustains me all day long.  Life can feel like a desert—some times more than other times. In the midst of the difficult desert, He gives that cool drink of water, all day long, as much as I need, when I need it. Do you ever feel like that? Let’s look at the next few verses:

3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify

you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I

will lift up my hands. 5 My soul will be satisfied as with the

richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

Even in the desert of life, there is still joy. I am well aware that my citizenship is not of this world.  This worldly desert is temporary and will be changed when Jesus comes to establish His kingdom on earth. Right now, this world is not a travel-friendly place. However, it is made into an oasis as I live in Christ, with Him in view at all times! As I determine to glorify Him and receive His everlasting love, the journey gets better.  His love is really better than life! I do praise Him anyway—in the desert, for praising my Savior brings power and joy. My soul is then satisfied because I live in Him and am sustained by Him. For, He is the Bread of Life! As I glorify Him, I am spiritually well-hydrated and well-fed to keep walking through this life.

Finally, my song at the end of my desert day:

6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the

watches of the night.  7 Because you are my help, I sing in the

shadow of your wings,  8 My soul clings to you;  your right

hand upholds me.

I thank God that He is the Word of life and He is everything we need for walking in the desert. And I will always be thirsty and hungry.