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In our passage-gram for today, David was in the Judean wilderness away from the clutches of his rebellious son Absalom (cf. 2 Sam 15:23, 28). This land is located west of the Dead Sea. It is very mountainous and practically void of any vegetation, with an annual rainfall of less than 2 inches. In comparison the annual rainfall in Death Valley in eastern California is less than 2 inches, as well! Both are very hot and very arid. Generally, the only people heading out into that stretch of desolation parched by the sun were those seeking refuge from their enemies or Bedouins really loving their privacy.
King David was comparing his thirst and longing for God by his immediate surroundings, “[as] a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” This is nothing short of desperation from one in close relationship to God (“O God, You are my God”) and being accustomed to attending the sanctuary to worship but is now prevented from worshiping there (cf. Psa 63:2, 6). “My soul” and “my flesh” indicate his entire being seeks for God. Such intensity is seen by the clause “early will I seek You” even though in exile.
Don’t miss this. David’s soul and body thirsted and longed for God and not for his throne or to get out of that inhospitable place he found himself. His thirst and longing was for God and God alone; he sorely missed the sanctuary and the presence of God, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant residing in the Holy of Holies. This desire for God is similar to Psa 42:1, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” Lesser devoted men claiming to love God would have turned in anger for such misfortune.
Don’t miss this. David’s soul and body thirsted and longed for God and not for his throne or to get out of that inhospitable place he found himself. His thirst and longing was for God and God alone; he sorely missed the sanctuary and the presence of God, symbolized by the Ark of the Covenant residing in the Holy of Holies. This desire for God is similar to Psa 42:1, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” Lesser devoted men claiming to love God would have turned in anger for such misfortune.
In spite of the calamities that had befallen the exiled king, David came to this conclusion, “But the king shall rejoice in God” (Psa 63:11). And he had good reason to rejoice for the Almighty was the driving force in his life who led King David out into the wilderness of Judea in the first place away from Absalom (Psa 63:7-8)! David didn’t allow the circumstances of life to affect his worship.
Often when things go south in the lives of believers, worship and adoration are the first to be jettisoned and replaced with questioning, doubt, and anger. It has been said that the ABC’s of character are adversity breeds character (Rom 5:3-4; Heb 5:8). If true worship is not happening in the peaceful times, it certainly will not happen in the tough times. <><
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