A Psalm of Guidance

My Soul Thirsts for You; 

A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.

1 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.

2 So I have looked upon You in the sanctuary, 

  beholding Your power and glory.

3 Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You.

4 So I will bless You as long as I live; in Your name I will lift up my hands.

5 My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

  and my mouth will praise You with joyful lips,

6 when I remember You upon my bed, 

  and meditate on You in the watches of the night;

7 for You have been my help, 

  and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing for joy.

8 My soul clings to You; Your right hand upholds me.

Theologian Eugene Peterson studies David’s time in the wilderness, escaping Saul’s tormented wrath. The sharpening of David, with constant guidance from God, is clear as he evades Saul in this life-altering experience. David loves Saul, his king, father-in-law, and would-be killer. Saul is tormented by the loss of God’s favor and Spirit due to his unfaithfulness in not following God’s will and centers this anger on David.

We see to whom David turns in the wilderness, noted in the Hebrew as a place that is absent of God (Pastor Eric’s teachings). When Christ enters the wilderness after His baptism to be tempted by Satan, He drew from God’s Word. David turned to God. 

Where do you and I turn when in the wilderness in our own lives? That is Peterson’s question. Pray as David prayed for guidance.

We pray: Gracious Father, I too find times when I truly thirst for Your Word. Send Your Spirit to provide me with the wisdom and discernment necessary to get me through these wilderness moments. I pray these things in Jesus name, Amen.

“Leap Over a Wall.” Eugene Peterson. HarperOne, 1998