1You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land where there is no water. 2 I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. 4 I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. 5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. 6 On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 I cling to you; your right hand upholds me. (Psalm 63:1 -8, New International Version)
Theme: The Wisdom of Discipline
Title: Discipline and Desire
Reflection:
King David’s disciplined approach to worship and meditation are very evident in Psalm 63:
- “My lips will glorify you.” (v. 3)
- “I will praise you as long as I live.” (v. 4)
- “In your name I will lift up my hands.” (v. 4)
- “On my bed I remember you.” (v. 6)
- “I think of you through the watches of the night. (v. 6)
- “I sing in the shadow of your wings.” (v. 7)
What is also evident in the Psalm is David’s strong desire for God:
- “Earnestly I seek you.” (v. 1)
- “I thirst for you.” (v. 1)
- “My whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land.” (v. 1)
- “Your love is better than life.” (v. 3)
- “You are my help.” (v. 7)
- “I cling to you.” (v. 8)
The combination of discipline and desire in the Psalm is not by chance in my view. The American sprinter, Jesse Owens once said, “We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort.” In the quote, “dreams” are synonymous with desires.
Conclusion:
Spiritual discipline and a desire for God need to operate together in the life of believers. If there is desire without discipline our desire is hollow and we rob ourselves of a growing relationship with God. If there is discipline without desire, we are likely to be self-righteous, frustrated, or fatigued because we have disassociated our actions from a godly purpose. Consider expressing your desire for God in writing, or try to recall a song or poem that expresses your desire.
Please feel free to share your thoughts.
Contributor: Norman Christie
March 14, 2025 at 6:42 am
The song that comes to mind almost immediately is Make Room by Jonathan McReynolds. My desire is a strong relationship with God and to accomplish that, time, focused and disciplined, is needed to nurture and grow the relationship. Things that occupy my time that doesn’t align to that purpose see to be removed.
March 14, 2025 at 8:37 am
Below is an anonymous poem found by Karen Christie that speaks eloquently about desire for God:
Thirst Unquenched
A fire within, a restless soul,
A yearning deep, beyond control.
For something vast, beyond the known,
A silent echo, seeds I’ve sown.
A thirst that burns, a hunger deep,
For truths untold, secrets to keep.
A longing heart, that seeks to see,
The face of God, eternally.
Though shadows fall, and doubts arise,
My spirit soars, towards the skies.
With open arms, I reach and crave,
The gentle touch, the love to save.
In every breath, a whispered plea,
To feel His presence, wild and free.
To walk with Him, in light so bright,
And find my home, in His pure light
March 14, 2025 at 3:30 pm
Psalm 42:1-3,5,8,11 NIV
[1] As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. [2] My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? [3] My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?”
[5] Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and [6] my God.
[8] By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me—a prayer to the God of my life.
[11] Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
March 14, 2025 at 5:23 pm
Sharing this song, counting my blessings. This song is very encouraging and helps me reflect on God’s faithfulness to me.
March 14, 2025 at 10:13 pm
Thanks to you all for the wonderful sharing today! Excerpts from two songs come to mind:
1. The first verse of Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring”
Jesu, Joy of man’s desiring,
Holy Wisdom, love most bright;
Drawn by Thee, our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light.
2. A verse and chorus from Michael W Smith’s, “Draw me Close”
Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I’m your friend
You are my desire
No one else will do
‘Cause nothing else can take your place
To feel the warmth of your embrace
Help me find the way
Bring me back to you
You’re all I want
You’re all I’ve ever needed
You’re all I want
Help me know you are near