Reading: Psalms 60-66
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips: When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches. Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice (Ps. 63:5-7).
David had more than most would consider his fair share of trouble throughout his life, but as we read through the Book of Psalms, we find he was amply equipped to deal with it. O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; To see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary (Ps.63:1-2). When Psalm 63 was composed, David was again on the run, this time from forces led by his son, Absalom, but he was not alone. God was with him. Even though the land in which he found himself had no water, David knew that the thirsting of his soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness as he stilled himself and communed with God. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14).
When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches. The middle of the night can be an unsettling time. Alone in the darkness with our thoughts, all of the hustle and bustle of the day gone, there is very little to distract us from our private fears and insecurities. What do you do to occupy your mind at night when you can't sleep? Do you go over the day's activities, trying to see if you made the most of your time? Maybe you worry about finances, job pressures, deadlines, or friends and family. Perhaps you "daydream" or think about the future. More than a few of us have probably tried the age-old mind trick of counting sheep to slow down our thoughts enough that we can fall asleep. Yet how many of us stop and remember that we are not lying there alone as we silently struggle with our insecurities? God is with us, even in the dark of the night.
David's solution to his sleepless nights was to turn to God. There he was, deep in the wilderness of Judah, seeking refuge from his own son (II Sam. 16:22-29). He surely had his share of restless, unsettled nights, but David did not use that time to dwell on all his mistakes or worry about his future. Instead, he meditated on God, counted his blessings, and as a result, faced each day with a renewed sense of purpose. But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by Him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped (Ps. 63:11). We, too, need to avail ourselves of the strength and comfort that only God can provide. When you can't sleep, look to God instead of sheep. Meditate on His greatness, His power, and His love. Allow His peace to flow through you as you find rest and renewal in the shadow of (His) wings.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:7).
Thought for Today: Any period of restlessness we find ourselves in can be resolved through communion with God; He settles our neglected spirit.
Christ Revealed: As the Rock – the unmovable, eternal, unchanging Savior (Ps. 61:2; 62:2,6-7). Jesus is the Rock of our salvation and that spiritual Rock (Petras) that followed (accompanied) them (Israelites) (I Cor. 10:4).
Word Studies: 60:12 do valiantly = gain the victory, do great things; 61:4 covert = shelter, protecting power; 62:9 to be laid in the balance = they prove to be worthless; 63:5 marrow and fatness = the richest of foods.
Pray for StaffKevin Jennings • Government Officials: Rep. Jim Himes (CT), Rep. Darin LaHood (IL), Sen. Roger Wicker (MS) • Country: Somalia (10,428,043) Eastern Africa • Major Languages: Somali, Arabic, Italian, English • Prohibits Proselytism for any religion other than Islam (State Religion) • Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayer of thanksgiving for the marvelous blessings of God (Ps. 18:1-3).
Optional Reading: I Thessalonians 4