This month’s Sunday morning message series is titled “Purpose and Power.” We continue to focus on the subject of the SPIRIT-filled life.
The Bible contains so many references to the SPIRIT-filled life! In completing our preaching schedule, we leave out so many other texts that also speak to this significant teaching of the Christian life. One such text is Psalm 63:1-8. Since this passage is not being used in this series, I want to use it today. Here is an outline I would use:
1 – KNOW HIM. “O GOD, you are my GOD” (vs. 1a). This is where it all begins – your relationship with GOD. Henry Blackaby once asked, “What is the one thing GOD wants from you? He wants you to love Him with all your being…. A love relationship with GOD is more important than any other single factor in your life.
2 – DESIRE HIM. “Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where there is no water” (vs. 1b). When you truly know GOD personally, then you will desire Him! When you love somebody, you want to be with that person. Wycliffe Bible Commentary says, “The psalmist expresses his deepest desire. The whole of his being years for communion with GOD. His life is as dry as a thirsty desert without this fellowship.”
3 – EXPERIENCE HIM. “So, I have looked for you in the sanctuary, to see Your Power and Your glory” (vs. 2). When you know GOD and desire Him, then you will experience Him – You will experience GOD!
4 – PRAISE HIM. “Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus, I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied…. and my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.” When You know GOD, desire GOD, and experience GOD, then you can’t help but praise GOD!
5 – REMEMBER HIM. “When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches” (vs.6). Here is an interpretation of “night watches.” During David’s era, the night was divided into “3 watches” of 4 hours each. While David lies in bed, his says his mind is focused on GOD. Not on his problems. Not on his circumstances. Not on his adversities. Not on his challenges. HE REMEMBERS GOD! David literally falls asleep in spiritual reflection. GOD is the last thing on his mind before he falls asleep.
6 – ENJOY HIM. “Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice” (vs. 7). The phrase “shadow of your wings” is figurative language. In other words, it refers to “closeness” or “protection.” GOD on many occasions helped David in dire circumstances. Because of these experiences, David came to “enjoy” GOD. He says, “In the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.”
7 – FOLLOW HIM. “My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me” (vs. 8). Like a child walking on the heels of his/her father in a densely wooded and spooky forest at night, even so David declares that he follows closely behind GOD. Notice David is behind GOD and not ahead of Him!
Psalm 63:1-8 is a very real illustration of a believer who is living the SPIRIT-filled life. Know Him. Desire Him. Experience Him. Praise Him. Remember Him. Enjoy Him. Follow Him.
Pastor Mike