MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Psalm 63:1-11
Matthew 16:24-27

Behold, the Lord cometh!
All eyes shall see Him.

“BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS … WITHIN A WEARY LAND”

David had many wilderness experiences. According to Psalm 63:1 when he was king, the wilderness of Judah he went through must have been his cross under Absalom’s rebellion (2 Sam 15:23-28; 16:2, 14; 17:16, 29). This would be his worst wilderness experience because it was precipitated in his old age by a rebellious son. Oh to be driven from a kingly court with food and music to a desert waste; with not the sound of bird or beast, to be marooned from a palace full of courtiers and servants to a little straggling company of fugitives. We may not be under similar circumstances, but modern travel to distant foreign lands for business or study can also bring such weariness of body and spirit.

In such a desperate hour, David has a sure recourse to His God. God to him is a loving Father who is more concerned for his welfare than himself. When our minds are heavily burdened, and sleep is denied us by cares, what do we do? We should follow David’s example to meditate on God by prayer and retrospection.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

When David’s confidence is restored by recollections of past deliverance (Ps 63:6), then he fills this Psalm with praises and jubilation (Ps 63:7). As for his enemies who seek to kill him, they shall be consigned to hell, they shall be killed by the sword and their carcasses left to the jackals (Ps 63:10). God is not only David’s loving Father and Protector, but also Judge against his enemies, not only those who assail him by sword but also with their lying tongues (Ps 63:11). Will God vindicate us as He vindicated David?

THOUGHT: “… thy lovingkindness is better than life …” (Ps 63:3a)
PRAYER: (Use Psalm 63:1.)