Help Me Jesus

Do you ever feel discouraged or defeated? I know that I do. Sometimes I wish I could just stay in bed and while the world keeps spinning. I know I’m not the only one who feels like this at times, you do too, everybody does. King David certainly had his ups and down just like us. I’m on a quest to read through the Psalms and learn from them. Today I was blown away by what I read in Psalm 63, my new favorite Psalm. King David wrote it when he was in the Desert of Judah; a hot, dry place that if generally uncomfortable for humans, most animals and plants. David was hiding from his enemies in these treacherous conditions. Yet, out of this dry desperate place, David wrote a Psalm that completely refreshed me. This is Psalm 63 and its worth reading, especially if you feel defeated or discouraged right now.  

“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you; my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. 3 Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! 4 I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. 5 You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. 6 I lie awake thinking of you, meditating on you through the night. 7 Because you are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your strong right hand holds me securely. 9 But those plotting to destroy me will come to ruin. They will go down into the depths of the earth. 10 They will die by the sword and become the food of jackals. 11 But the king will rejoice in God. All who swear to tell the truth will praise him, while liars will be silenced.”   

David was searching for God. He needed a sign, something to comfort him. He used the word “thirst” indicating he was parched; he needed God to refresh him. Have you ever been there? Are you there right now? If so, search for God, cry out to Him. Then, David reminds himself that he has seen God in the good times and knows just how real and comforting God is. He admits that God’s love is better than life itself. Then, in verse four David says he will praise God as long as he lives, lifting his hands in prayer. Reading this gives me a refreshing sense of hope. God knows how I feel, God knows where I am, God loves me and I can be refreshed by coming into His presence in prayer. In verse seven, David describes singing for joy in the shadow of God’s wings. Being in the shadow of God’s wings is a metaphor for being under God’s protection.

David’s Psalm is so comforting and powerful that the early church read it every day during their public prayers. It reminded them that even as they were being persecuted and suffering, God was with them. My prayer is that this Psalm will speak to your soul like it does mine. Find this Psalm in your Bible and highlight the words and sentences that refresh you today. Then make it your prayer by reading it aloud back to God. Be encouraged, God is with you regardless of what dessert you feel like you are in right now. Just find your way to the foot of the Cross and worship. Let God fill your cup and refresh your soul.