Saturday March 14, 2009

Scripture
Psalm 143:5-6
I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on your works and consider what your hands have done. I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.

Reflection
In the whole of Psalm 143, we see David crying out to God in prayer for help. The first thing that he does here is to remember what God has already done for him. Sin is so persuasive in our lives that it can cause us to doubt the God who has already provided for us in such abundance. There are so many things in our life that are vying for our hearts that we often look away from God in an attempt to satisfy our desires on our own. The Psalmist shows us here that, even in his great time of trouble, he knows that it is ultimately God alone who can be his comfort. David opens up his hands that were so tightly clasped onto his own desires and offers those things up to the Lord. It is the letting go of these desires that allows him to truly thirst for God. Just as we must continue to drink water to quench our bodily thirst, we see in the Psalms that we must continually turn from our desires and thirst for the living God who gives life through his Son. This is a thirst that does not come naturally to the flesh and therefore we must echo verse eight and pray for God to “let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love.” It is God alone who can truly satisfy our desires. We must remember to continually humble ourselves before him with open hands that no longer hold on to our desires, but take up his desires and drink of the living water that is promised in Christ. This is not easy but this is the call that God has made to all people: “Come all who are thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me as the scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:37-38).

Written by a PC Senior

Today Please Pray For:
Stirlings, Campus tour guides