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King David wrote Psalm 63 while in the wilderness of Judah. He was fleeing from his son, Absalom, who was seeking to kill him and displace him as the king of Israel. For David, it was obvious that despite the dangers confronting him, he knew anything was bearable as long as God was in his corner. David knew where to put his focus… not on his problems, but on God.

While I doubt few of us have ever faced desert conditions I do believe David is using a metaphor many of us can relate to… the metaphor of thirst. I believe the response to thirst is universal – and that is the need and desire to have that thirst quenched. I don't know of anyone who is able to ignore his or her thirst. And when we are thirsty… really thirsty… nothing but water will do. After being outside for a long time on a hot day, there is nothing more refreshing and thirst quenching than water. I might try a glass of soda, tea or lemonade, but when I am deeply thirsty, none of those things will do. Only water… pure water.

David shows us in Psalm 23, the only satisfaction for our thirsty soul is God - nothing else will do. However, there is a difference in being satisfied in God and with God. I am so guilty of thinking of it in terms of "with God" – making my satisfaction dependent on what God is doing for me or not doing for me. When our health is poor, our finances are less than we desire, we've lost our jobs or are still single and long to be married, it is tempting to say to ourselves, "I'm not satisfied with God right now." This puts God in the position of being a means to an end. The focus is completely wrong.

What we need to understand is that God wants us to be satisfied in Him. Pastor and Author John Piper said, "God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him." Go back and read Psalm 63:5 again. David describes his relationship with God "My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness." I imagine that must be similar to the feeling I get after filling up on a wonderful meal. That's how David felt after feasting on the presence of God – satisfied. I want to know that kind of satisfaction.

Wouldn't it be great to say, "My soul is satisfied"? Let's say you are in the midst of a trial, you might be struggling financially, relationally, physically or emotionally, wouldn't it be wonderful to say, "Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips will praise You…. My soul is satisfied." (Psalm 63:3,5a NASB)

It is my desire to be able to say this and truly mean it.
Do you want to be happy? Truly happy? Do you want to know lasting joy and enduring satisfaction? You need to know that it can only be found in God. If you look for satisfaction in anything else, you will be disappointed. I think all of us know this and have experienced this firsthand.

At this point, you might be saying to yourself… "Well, that sounds great, but how do I do it?"

I believe we satisfy ourselves with God's presence when we think about Him, we pray to Him, we spend time with Him, and when we dwell upon His glorious character.

Let us, therefore, think about God. Let us pray to Him without ceasing. Let us feast upon God, and expect your soul to be truly satisfied – for only He can truly satisfy our souls. Amen.

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

God Inhabits The Ordinary