A Thirsty Soul – The Presidential Prayer Team

My soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. – Psalm 63:1

David was in exile from Jerusalem, somewhere out in the desert, following the beginning of the coup by his son Absalom. While there, his relationship with God grew as he spent more time in prayer. Doubtless, he was both physically thirsty and hungry, but somehow being absent from Jerusalem also made him need spiritual refreshment. Perhaps you’ve had experiences that nearly crushed you, leaving you feeling devastated. You can learn from King David.

What do you thirst for from God today? Do you have a hunger to be in His presence? In your being, do you hunger and thirst for the things of the Lord and His kingdom? Hiding from Absalom in a cave, David claims that the love and mercy of God are better than life itself. Later in the psalm, he says his soul will be satisfied with God alone.

On the backside of the desert, knowing his own son would kill him if he found him, David’s hungry heart is grateful for what God has already done, and for God Himself. He even manages to find joy in the midst of his anxieties, and he is satisfied. If you are discouraged today, in a desert sort of a place, read this psalm of David again. Find some part you can identify with and create your own song of joy to the Lord. Pray for those who are making the rules and regulations that emanate from Washington, D.C., and rejoice that God is the ultimate Ruler of all.

Today’s Verse: Psalm 63:1

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.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: Psalm 63

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.
²So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
    beholding your power and glory.
³Because your steadfast love is better than life,
    my lips will praise you.
⁴So I will bless you as long as I live;
    in your name I will lift up my hands.

⁵My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,
    and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,
⁶when I remember you upon my bed,
    and meditate on you in the watches of the night;
⁷for you have been my help,
    and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.
⁸My soul clings to you;
    your right hand upholds me.

⁹But those who seek to destroy my life
    shall go down into the depths of the earth;
¹⁰they shall be given over to the power of the sword;
    they shall be a portion for jackals.
¹¹But the king shall rejoice in God;
    all who swear by him shall exult,
    for the mouths of liars will be stopped.