Desperate Soul

Earnest Desperation: v.1-5

Excitement about the Psalms Series: Songs of the Heart

different types of psalms(6): Praise(41), Hymn(17), Royal(10), Wisdom(9), Thanksgiving(8, Trust(6)

we endeavor to explore all of theses for us to have a deeper appreciation for the psalmist, as well as for us to dive into the full expanse of emotions in our lives.

Today we start off with Trust. It’s hard to trust God, it’s hard at times to validate the authenticity of God’s unfailing love for His people. . particularly when everything around us is falling apart. This and questions like this are critical as we look at the landscape of Our Faith with the world at its backdrop. People who don’t believe what we believe (regardless of age and generational classification) are asking Can I trust God?

It’s hard for many of Us to understand the idea: to trust or not to Trust God, but when we see famine, natural disasters, poverty, murder, racism. . .its hard not to step back and say “Lord, whats really going on?”

The context surrounding our passage today is the same; david is not experiencing a good time. his days have not been good; yet he maintains the Love of God is more than life. No matter what the circumstances were; he continues to seek after the living God. The God who supplies His steadfast love to all in relationship with Him.

Psalm 63:1–5 ESV

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 will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

our first point is desperation: David says he longs after God. Notice the action: earnestly seeking, soul thirst, flesh faints for you.

some have a misconception of what David is conveying here. These words, this feeling is probably what many of you remember feeling when you were dating. You remember what i’m talking about? Remember Eddie Murphy in Boomerang saying, “you are my air” which implies I really need you!

Anyone ever been in love, or remember the process.

David says I long for you God. Everything else in the World is dry nothing completes me, only you.

what do you long for? what are those things you cling to?

Job, career, Person (dating/spouse), kids, Vehicle , Amounts of money and wealth

As the people of God, we must develop a longing and dependency on God. the same dependance david has. “My Soul Thirst, Flesh Faints” he realizes nothing in this world compares to knowing God and being known by Him.

Psalm 73:26 ESV

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

David has everything, the throne, wives, wealth but nothing compares to his relationship with God.

Billionaire, Philip Ng Chee Tat, says that having money and material things but not having Jesus is empty. He also says that we all need Jesus in our lives.

How do we know that David values his relationship with God over everything? Verse 3. . . “Your steadfast love is better than life.”

Steadfast love{Hesed}. . .Like the prophetess SADE said “this is no ordinary Love.” This is not the simple “Love you man”. . . much love bro. . This is much differently.

Hesed is God’s unfailing, uncompromising, unconditional love for His People. This word for love is used about 200 times in the OT and David makes up 65% of the usage describing this love.

Hesed love is not “i love the Cowboys in the 90’s, but hate them in the 2000 era” - that’s conditional. It’s not i love my hair stylist when she fits me into the schedule; but can’t stand her when she’s booked and you can’t get that roller set- that’s conditional

The steadfast love of God is unconditional. When God step into relationship with Israel HE said “I do” and it was over. He made a covenant with His people and it does not matter How bad you are/were, what you are doing/have done. . . God says I love with all your flaws and all.

let me stop here and make a very important disclaimer: this love (Hesed) is only for those in relationship with Jesus. If you have not surrendered to the Lordship of Christ, you don’t get this love. You have God love in a general sense:

John 3:16 ESV

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

I pray if you are listening and don’t know Jesus, that you will surrender in order to receive the HESED love of God.

David has a good memory. As he sees desolation all around (dry and weary land). . as He sees his enemies seeking to destroy his life… He remembers the Steadfast love of God.

what are some of your best memories? How do you keep memories alive?

Pictures of old football teams- recalling old games and

trophies or awards

I can remember my wedding day like it just happened, seeing my wife come down the aisle. . the excitement. we have a picture book that helps tell the story

I can remember the birth of all my kids- i have the armbands from each one. i can tell you what we ate after God provided safe deliveries for each one.

David remembers the Love of God, he has pictures from the past that helps him have confidence in present and in his future.

He can remember being chosen as king of israel over all his older brothers.. . he remembers God protecting him as he cared for his sheep when lions and bears came to attack.. . He remembers God deliverance and victory over Goliath. . He remembers the love of God as he spared david’s life after committing adultery and having a man murdered.

Davids thinks of this and more and says “your love is better than life.” Is there anybody who can testify with david and say God your love and kindness is better than life.

I grew up in a little small church and we used to sing a song that says: after all i have been through, I still have joy. .

through all the hell i have been through in my life, i still have joy

through many dangers, toils and snares I still have my joy

and this joy I have the world did not give it and the world can’t take it away.

David has joy, and realizes that His Love and Kindness is better than life. Next, he says something interesting: My soul is satisfied! He begins by saying desperate and at the same time he is satisfied.

how is this possible?

Dating. . . . . desperate to around them. . . satisfied and want more

Eager Anticipation: v6-8

Expedited Deliverance: v9-11