How often do you come before the Lord, not to ask for anything but, out of longing for God Himself, simply seek Him, to know that He is God and to behold His glory and goodness?

Psalm 63 gives us a beautiful picture of seeking the Lord for the purpose of simply beholding Him. 

 “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. 

So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. 

My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. 

But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals. But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped.” 

So many times we approach the Lord with a laundry list of requests, with our grievances and our cries for help, but, in this Psalm, David sets out to simply seek the Lord and to behold his God with earnest immediacy.” Psalm 63

David sets out to simply seek the Lord and to behold his God with earnest immediacy. 

It might surprise us to realize that David writes these words in the midst of hard times and, it is in these troubles, that he recognizes that it is the Lord who is his satisfaction. He beholds the Lord and  knows that His goodness is better than life itself.  As he meditates on the Lord, he cannot help but worship. (vv 1-4)

This worship brings contentment. David likens his time with the Lord to the satisfaction of a lavish, sumptuous meal and responds in the only way that makes sense – he is filled with joy and praise! (vv 5)

We can only imagine the thoughts in his heart as he clearly recalls the Lord’s prior help and protection. Inspired by joy and  the remembrance of God’s help,  he clings to the Lord, confident that the Lord is keeping him. David’s words paint a perfect picture of God’s steadfast faithfulness holding His people securely as we, by His strength, strive to abide in Him in our weakness (vv6-8)

Can you relate to David’s experience? 

Can you imagine responding, as David does here, while you are walking in the dry and weary land of deep disappointment, prolonged suffering, painful loss, persecution or the actualization of your darkest fears?

While many may be surprised by David’s response, I have learned that it is often in the unexpected “desert” places that we, like David, find ourselves longing for our God in the most desperate, intimate way. 

The “wilderness” has a way of narrowing our field of vision, helping us see what truly matters. It is a place where we often recognize the folly of our worries and the emptiness of the things that capture our time and devotion. In these moments, as the vain pursuits of our lives begin to fade away, we, like David, long to see the Lord. 

We desperately want to behold Him, to remember His power, His glory, and His goodness. In fact, it may be that, as our worldly aspirations are stripped away and in our tears of loss and fear, that we most long to see the Lord. And, as we behold Him, He leads us to true, wholehearted worship that swallows up our worries and fears as we trust in His goodness and His sovereignty.

And, as we behold Him, He leads us to true, wholehearted worship that swallows up our worries and fears as we trust in His goodness and His sovereignty.

 It all feels so paradoxical but I know this to be true: we can experience the overwhelming goodness, nearness, strength and even great joy of the Lord in our times of greatest distress.  And, it is in this surprising place, that we often find our most certain and, perhaps, our most sustaining satisfaction and trust in the Lord. 

Have you experienced this? Can you recall times of great sorrow when the Lord’s presence was palpable? Times when, in spite of your troubles, you believed with absolute certainty, in the reality of God, in the goodness of the Lord and in the Sovereign Providence of your King?  

As the Psalm concludes, David reflects on a future day when the wicked will be judged and those who trust in the Lord will rejoice. It is clear that our hope is found in serving a God of righteousness, justice, steadfast love, and faithfulness (Psalm 89:14). And the closing verses of Psalm 63 point us to Christ’s future reign, when the whole earth will live under His just and loving rule (vv9-11).

And this coming reign of Christ is eternal. We serve an eternal God and we cannot plumb the depths of knowing Him.  But, we don’t have to wait for troubles to take the time to behold Him.

We don’t have to wait for troubles to take the time to behold Him.

In fact, seeking and beholding the Lord now will prepare us for the inevitable trials to come. 

So my encouragement is this: don’t wait for the hard times! Set aside regular time to recall and remember God’s faithfulness to you. 

Recall and study His divine attributes. Behold Him in His Word and praise Him for who He is. 

Ask Him to purify your heart so that you might see him more clearly. 

Allow yourself time to consider the hope that He has given you and be overwhelmed by the glorious future He has planned for His people. 

Meditate on His glory and His holy perfection. 

He will not disappoint.