New: 30 April 2025
Pursuing God
with Passion
Psalm 63
O God, You are my God;
I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You,
my flesh yearns for You,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1
Seeking God Earnestly
The psalmists' gratitude towards God was wholehearted (Psalms 9:1; 86:12; 111:1; see E35). Our love and dedication to God should be wholehearted (Matthew 22:37-38), as well as our love and service to people (vv 39-40). We are to serve others in love as an expression of 'faith working through love' (Galatians 5:6, 13). God wants His people to be wholeheartedly dedicated to Him and the purpose He has called each of them to fulfil. We are to pursue God with passion and be zealous for good works.
The psalmist sought God earnestly (Psalm 63:1). He was serious about his quest to know God and be satisfied by the true Fountain of life. His soul thirsted for God. He found himself in a dry place, 'the wilderness of Judah,' as the heading of the psalm indicates. These were years in David's life when he had to escape persecution by king Saul. He lived in caves, forests and the wilderness. His external world (his circumstances) was lacking many good things, but his internal world (his soul) sought God and was satisfied. His desire was to see God's power and glory (v 2). The fact that God's lovingkindness is better than life made him praise God (v 3). No matter what was going on around him, the most important issue was what was going on inside him. We may face many difficult challenges or tough circumstances (external world), yet seeking God earnestly is the key to staying strong and focused (internal world). With strength in your soul and clarity in your mind, your problems can be solved, your challenges can be overcome and your trials can be turned into testimonies. Seek God and trust Him.
So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
Psalm 63:4, 6
Using our Time Purposefully
To the psalmist, seeking God was more important than his circumstances. David endured much hardship, yet God was with him. His earnest seeking and wholehearted dedication to God was crucial to keep him on the right path. To him, God's lovingkindness was even better than life. He was dedicated to praise and bless God as long as he lived (vv 3-4). To lift up our hands to God's Name in praise is a sign of gratitude, humility and confidence (v 4b). We thank God for His goodness, we surrender to Him for His grace and we trust Him to give us a victory in our challenges. We humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God and trust Him to be exalted at the right time and in the right way (1 Peter 5:5-6). David demonstrated this by trusting God in the years of persecution (humiliation) until the time came for him to take his rightful place in God's plan (exaltation). At the right time, God will make it happen. Trust Him.
The life God had given David and the years God appointed for him was God's gift to him. Despite all the challenges and dangers, David lived a long and good life. He used his time purposefully. He served the purpose of God in his generation and lived according to God's will (Acts 13:22, 36). He truly was a man after God's own heart. We, too, should be such. God wants shepherds according to His heart (Jeremiah 3:15) who will use their time purposefully to seek the 'lost sheep' who suffer 'without a shepherd' (Matthew 8:35-36). The Good Shepherd wants us to follow His example (John 10:10-14; 1 Peter 5:1-4). Use your time purposefully to help others, to ease their suffering and to make a positive difference in the world.
David's mouth would offer praises to God and he found his satisfaction in God despite the external difficulties (Psalm 63:5). Even during the night he would use his time purposefully: meditating on God (v 6). What we do in private is very important to what we will be able to do in public. Preparation is key. When preparation meets opportunity, great things can take happen. Be ready when your time comes. God had been David's help, under whose wings he found refuge and in whose presence he found joy (v 7). His soul clung to God and He upheld him (v 8). God is faithful. God would also deal with David's enemies; ultimately, everyone gets what they deserve (vv 9-10). David would rejoice in God and trust Him to deal with slander, gossip and lies (v 11). God cannot be mocked; everyone will reap what they sow (Galatians 6:7-8). We are encouraged and instructed to do good and trust God for the right outcome (vv 9-10). We cannot allow the evil deeds of others to discourage us to do good deeds.
Pursuing God with Passion
Living a life pursuing God with passion will strengthen our soul and keep our mind focused on what is important. Life has many distractions, challenges and temptations. We must seek God and pursue the purpose He has prepared for us. It is ultimately worth it, despite the unfair opposition or temporary difficulties we might face. Circumstances change, yet we must attend to our soul and mind. Mental and emotional health are important. Stay strong, stay focused, stay on the right track in life. As you seek God and His kingdom, His peace and provision will be your portion (Matthew 6:33-34; see Q4). Nothing compares to the presence of God and the satisfaction He gives us. Nothing is more meaningful than to live for the purpose God has prepared for us. Pursue God and His calling on your life wholeheartedly and passionately.