You are my God

Major Philip Layton explores David’s relationship with God while under extreme pressure

PSALM 63

THE context for this psalm is King David fleeing from Jerusalem into the Judean wilderness to escape the wrath of Absalom (see 2 Samuel 15:13 to 17:22). The psalm can be divided into two parts: in verses 1 to 8 David expresses his praise, worship, confidence and desire for God; and in verses 9 to 11 he voices a desire for justice.

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QUESTION

*Given the context, why do you think David begins the psalm with these words: ‘You, God, are my God’ (v1)?

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I wonder where you would place the emphasis within that phrase: on the word ‘you’, ‘God’, ‘are’ or maybe ‘my’. I have often found a shift in emphasis can subtly change the meaning of a Bible verse and become a devotional exercise in itself.

If David’s emphasis is on the first word, ‘you’, then perhaps he is writing the psalm out of recognition that his own strength, knowledge and resources are limited. Although David is king, perhaps his flight from danger reminds him that he is not invincible and that only God is all-mighty.

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QUESTIONS

*Have there been ‘wilderness’ times in your life, when you have felt spiritually, emotionally or physically cut off?

*To what extent has God used these times to help you focus again on his sovereignty?

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Maybe the emphasis should fall on the last word, ‘God’, recognising that, despite current circumstances, nothing is beyond God’s capabilities. Nothing takes God by surprise. We see in verses 2 to 8 how David yearns for God, desires him, worships him, praises and glorifies him. Although surrounded by danger, David says he would intentionally praise, thirst after, cling to, sing to, glorify and be satisfied by God.

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QUESTION

* How could you use this psalm as a spiritual discipline when feeling vulnerable?

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David could be emphasising the timing through the word ‘are’. In the past, the young shepherd David put his faith in God and defeated Goliath (see 1 Samuel 17). Now, David’s power-hungry son, Absalom, is forcing him out of Jerusalem and things are looking bleak.

While God does not change, our response to situations and how we spend our time can affect our relationship with him.

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QUESTION

* How has your relationship with God developed over the years?

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Maybe David emphasises the word ‘my’. This is not to suggest there are ‘other’ gods, apart from false ones – David has many flaws, but spiritual infidelity is not one of them. Rather, David’s focus could be on his personal relationship with God. The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and of his father, Jesse, and his predecessor, Saul, is his God too. David has an intimate, personal faith in God. This is just as well, as no other type of faith will do.

God has no grandchildren only children (see John 1:1–14). Our family line, status,

qualifications, education or love for and loyalty to The Salvation Army do not even come close to the necessity of having a personal faith in God and his plan of salvation – trusting in Jesus alone, through faith alone (see John 3:1–16).

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QUESTIONS

*To what extent do Christians skirt around openly discussing the necessity for a personal trust in God?

*What is the difference between faith being personal and being private?

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Read verses 1 to 8 again and see how they ooze a personal faith in God that David clearly wants to share.

In verses 9 to 11 we find David’s trust in God for justice – albeit a short-sighted hope for earthly justice – that would see David vindicated and returned to the throne.

Followers of Jesus want to see social justice and practise it with love and respect to everyone without bias. But we must be careful that we do not become short-sighted. God’s word assures us that there will be eternal justice.

We have all broken God’s moral law and deserve punishment. This is why Jesus came and took our punishment on the cross. Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. Everyone who trusts in him will be eternally saved from what they rightly deserve: death. It is an act of amazing love, grace and justice.

This is my God. Is this your God too? If so, how will you share this good news?

MAJOR LAYTON IS CORPS OFFICER, UPPER NORWOOD WITH WEST NORWOOD

Through the week with Salvationist

– a devotional thought for each day by Major Lynda Levis

SUNDAY

As the deer pants for the water/ So my soul longs after you./ You alone are my heart’s desire/ And I long to worship you.

(SASB 571)

MONDAY

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

(Isaiah 58:11)

TUESDAY

As the bird beneath her feathers/ Guards the objects of her care,/ So the Lord his children gathers,/ Spreads his wings, and hides us there;/ Thus protected,/ All our foes we boldly dare.

(SASB 28)

WEDNESDAY

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.

(Psalm 139:7–10)

THURSDAY

Hold me close,/ Let your love surround me./ Bring me near, draw me to your side./ And as I wait, I’ll rise up like the eagle,/ And I will soar with you,/ Your Spirit leads me on in the power of your love.

(SASB 601)

FRIDAY

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name for ever. For great is your love towards me; you have delivered me from the depths.

(Psalm 86:12 and 13)

SATURDAY

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest./ Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest./ Lord we lift up your name,/ With hearts full of praise,/ Be exalted, O Lord, my God,/ Hosanna in the highest.

(SASB 366)

Prayer

Father God, how blessed we are that you care for us and that we live in your presence. Help us each day to be mindful of your great love, which protects us and provides us with all that we need.