The Pilgrim Path Psalm 63:1-4

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 THIRSTS…

Record heat in the West. Such oppressive temps of late. When we left Mississippi in 1999, the heat index was 119 degrees. Not for the faint of heart. It would not be unusual to have hot weather from May through early October. There were quite a few Thanksgivings we would turn the AC on inside. I always laughed looking at Fall fashion displays (multiple layers). They were incredibly attractive and trendy---but if you dressed like that you would end up in the ER. Well, David is in the wilderness in Psalm 63. No restaurants. Few major watering holes. He reminds us that he grew thirsty---desperately so! He wants to teach us that this is the way we are to walk with the LORD. We need Him earnestly---like water when we have been without water--- in a dry and desolate land. We cry to Him, “Come satisfy me---Water of Life! Jehovah-Jesus!” He does this by His Spirit---through His Word. He makes this happen---as we think long and hard upon Him and His truth---and “how” it relates to our lives. He uses His truth to shape, support, and strengthen our very existence. His presence is real by the Spirit through the Word.

We must remember that the world (as it exists in opposition to God) is often a wearying place. It has a negative effective upon the soul. Our flesh may deceive us in countless ways---even after having been converted. The devil is no friend of grace. He is the most dangerous as an angel of light. It is incumbent upon us as the blood-bought Followers of Jesus---to keep going to the “fountain” of the Waters of Life for refreshment. We must go to Him. All the other fountains---as appealing as they may seem---are insufficient for soul renewal. HIS love is better than life---and serving Him is its own reward. Summer is just about here. Let the hot weather remind you that only HE is the satisfaction for the weary soul.

From Thomas Manton: Seeking implies that this is our aim and scope, and the business of our lives and action. It is to enjoy God now until we come fully to enjoy him in heaven. The whole course of a Christian must be seeking after God and getting more of God into our heart---“My soul follows hard after you!” It is not a slight motion or a cold wish. It will not be easily put off with discouragement or satisfied with other things. It is an earnest pursuit of him until he is found. Wicked men in a pang would have the favor of God, but they are soon put out of the humor, and are taken up with other things. This must be the scope of our whole lives…This is also seeking God in Christ. Without a mediator, guilty creatures cannot enjoy God. We cannot immediately converse with God---there must be a mediator between God and us. There is no getting to God but by Christ…

From Samuel Rutherford: Live on Christ’s love. Christ’s love is so kingly, that it will not wait until tomorrow, it must have a throne all alone in your soul. It is our folly to divide our narrow and little love. It is best to give it all to Christ…My counsel is, that you come out and leave the multitude, and let Christ have your company…

From Thomas Case: If we fill ourselves with the world, the less we will delight in Christ. This is our folly. But When God spreads sackcloth on the earthly, we discover the beauty of Christ and can taste his sweetness. He infinitely transcends all the beauty and glory of the world. He is our King to govern; our Prophet to teach; our Priest to save. How precious! Give me Christ, or else I die!

A PRAYER FROM TIM KELLER: Lord Jesus, when you met the woman at the well, you told her that what she was looking for in male affection could be found only in you and the eternal life you give. Let me realize that my longings for professional success, social acceptance, and even family affection are functioning the same way. Give me the love that is better than life! Amen.

HYMN

O Jesus, I Have promised to serve thee to the end;

Be thou forever near me, my Master and my Friend:

I shall not fear the battle if thou art by my side,

Nor wander from the pathway if thou wilt be my guide.

O let me feel thee near me, the world is ever near;

I see the sights that dazzle, the tempting sounds I hear:

My foes are ever near me, around me and within;

But, Jesus, draw thou nearer, and shield my soul from sin.

O Jesus, thou hast promised to all who follow thee,

That where thou art in glory there shall thy servant be;

And, Jesus, I have promised to serve thee to the end;

O give me grace to follow, my Master and my Friend.

John E. Bode, 1868

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason