O God, you are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and glory.
Because you love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
They will be given over to the sword
and become food for the jackals.
But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God's name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
(Psalm 63)
I have been reading a book by several different authors entitled "A Woman and Her God". Each chapter is by a different author. In this first chapter the psalm I have included at the top is written. Talk about really making me stop and think. Let's look at the first 6 words -"O God you are my God". Is that something we can say? Have any of us encountered him in a way that he has become our refuge and strength? Think about the intimacy we are to enjoy with God! I confess that I am not real good about reading my bible everyday and studying his Word as I should. It is something that I am trying to do- make it into a habit, a discipline. There are many things that we can make into a discipline- bible study, exercise, eating healthier, praying, watching less TV, more time with the kids, and the list could go on. Doing these things even when you are completely exhausted is discipline. But the everyday longing that we should have to be with our Lord- that thirsting is given to us from the Holy Spirit and we should desire it more than life. Do we? I confess, yet again, that there are days I don't. It doesn't mean that that longing is not there, I have just pushed it out of the way and tried to fill it with other things, but not the one thing that matters. God wants us to come to a point in our relationship with Him where we can say " You are number one in my life Lord. You trump every other love in my life, every other experience, every other purpose and goal. YOU ARE MY LIFE!! Not just when I need you, your comfort, your help- 24/7 you are my life." We were meant to devote ourselves wholly to Him. This is something that I struggle with. I probably shouldn't, maybe it shows where I am in my walk with Him. I want to do better. The days that I feel that emptiness and longing, instead of filling it with the Lord, I try other, worldly things: food, the kids, blogging, trying to be the best mom I can be without loosing my patience, and anything else. It will not work unless I not only turn it over to God, but fully concentrate on Him. I want to love him with all my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength. Lord willing, He will teach me how to get there.
earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you,
my body longs for you,
in a dry and weary land
where there is no water.
I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and glory.
Because you love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
On my bed I remember you;
I think of you through the watches of the night.
Because you are my help,
I sing in the shadow of your wings.
My soul clings to you;
your right hand upholds me.
They who seek my life will be destroyed;
they will go down to the depths of the earth.
They will be given over to the sword
and become food for the jackals.
But the king will rejoice in God;
all who swear by God's name will praise him,
while the mouths of liars will be silenced.
(Psalm 63)
I have been reading a book by several different authors entitled "A Woman and Her God". Each chapter is by a different author. In this first chapter the psalm I have included at the top is written. Talk about really making me stop and think. Let's look at the first 6 words -"O God you are my God". Is that something we can say? Have any of us encountered him in a way that he has become our refuge and strength? Think about the intimacy we are to enjoy with God! I confess that I am not real good about reading my bible everyday and studying his Word as I should. It is something that I am trying to do- make it into a habit, a discipline. There are many things that we can make into a discipline- bible study, exercise, eating healthier, praying, watching less TV, more time with the kids, and the list could go on. Doing these things even when you are completely exhausted is discipline. But the everyday longing that we should have to be with our Lord- that thirsting is given to us from the Holy Spirit and we should desire it more than life. Do we? I confess, yet again, that there are days I don't. It doesn't mean that that longing is not there, I have just pushed it out of the way and tried to fill it with other things, but not the one thing that matters. God wants us to come to a point in our relationship with Him where we can say " You are number one in my life Lord. You trump every other love in my life, every other experience, every other purpose and goal. YOU ARE MY LIFE!! Not just when I need you, your comfort, your help- 24/7 you are my life." We were meant to devote ourselves wholly to Him. This is something that I struggle with. I probably shouldn't, maybe it shows where I am in my walk with Him. I want to do better. The days that I feel that emptiness and longing, instead of filling it with the Lord, I try other, worldly things: food, the kids, blogging, trying to be the best mom I can be without loosing my patience, and anything else. It will not work unless I not only turn it over to God, but fully concentrate on Him. I want to love him with all my heart, my soul, my mind and my strength. Lord willing, He will teach me how to get there.
4 comments:
Beautiful and inspiring thoughts, Marie. Something I've been dwelling on a lot lately too -- when someone disappoints me in this life and I'm upset about it ... can I turn to God and say, "You matter more. I know You love me -- help me feel like that's enough."
Marie,
I was touched by your post. I have been there, too. Wanting so badly to be God's woman in each and every aspect of my life. He wants the same thing. He has worked out all eternity to get it. Thank you for reminding me what truly is most important.
Peace
n
I love this Psalm. It may be my very favorite.
Thanks for sharing your heart with me. :)
You have put into words how I've felt lately. Thanks for sharing that. I have felt God stirring to get me back on track towards intimacy with Him. This is yet another stirring.
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