David tells us in Psalm 63 what a great relationship with the Father looks like. He is in the wilderness, certainly still being pursued and not living the life that he had dreamed of yet, but he has his focus on right. David knows that his relationship with God is key. “I can’t get enough of you”. Is that how you feel about your relationship with the Creator of the universe? Do you long to spend more time with Him? Remember how it used to be when you were courting your future spouse – same story – you couldn’t get enough time together. You would make excuses to be able to see each other. That is how we should pursue our relationship with God. It should not be a task or big effort, it should be a desire and huge blessing. Time with God is so critical to staying connected. And David tells us “I’ve worked up such a hunger and thirst for God”. That should describe how we feel – and the way we get that hunger and thirst satisfied is time in His Word and in prayer – in communion with Him. Do you really have that hunger? Are you feasting on His Truth every day – spending time in God’s Word and getting filled with His direction? David also tells us “here I am in the place of worship….drinking in your strength and glory”. We also need to spend time in worship with others. Are you regularly surrounding yourself in His presence with other Christ Followers? So often we lose sight of why we go to church. Sure the fellowship is great, seeing friends and other believers is important – but we should go to church to meet God – to worship Him and be in His presence in the midst of His Family. That is why we go to church. When we spend time with Him, take in His Word, and are in His presence through worship we too can experience David’s results: “I am really living at last”. That is how we got to the next level – no matter what the circumstances around us.
David goes on to list the things he does to make that relationship real to him:
- “I bless you every time I take a breath
- My arms wave like banners of praise
- I eat my fill
- I smack my lips
- It’s time to shout praises
- I’m free to run and play
- I hold on to you….you hold me steady as a post”
This relationship is alive and requires us to pour ourselves into it. God doesn’t do all the work. He meets us more than halfway, but we do need to put our hearts and minds into it. But what a glorious time we can have living in the presence of the Father. This is real stuff – opportunity to have an intimate and deep relationship with God. One last tip David gives us here. Do you ever struggle to sleep at night? Check this out. The answer is not counting sheep: “If I’m sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection”. The key is to come into the presence of the Almighty and have a grateful heart. God is also the source of peace that allows us to sleep. When we struggle, we just need to approach the Throne and give thanks for all that He has done. That calms our spirit and allows us to rest in Him. David gets it – even in the midst of chaos and threat to his very life – the secret is to be close to God. Are you living that way?
