SEEK DEVOTIONAL

The heading of Psalm 63 states, “A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.”

This wilderness experience was not a delightful weekend camping trip for David—where he fished, hiked through pinewood forests, made cowboy coffee by the fire, and roasted marshmallows with friends, only to return to the luxury of the palace rested and refreshed. This most likely takes place when David is fleeing from Absalom, his own son, who has usurped the throne and is literally hunting him down. This is not a pleasant time, and the wilderness of Judah would more accurately be described as a desert.

The setting speaks for itself. Wilderness moments happen to everyone. They happened to David, the man after God’s own heart. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “In the world you will have tribulation…” Paul tells us from prison in Philippians 4 to “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice.”

I am thankful that the Bible does not shy away from being honest about these wilderness moments, but instead leans into them. Jesus, after He is baptized and the Holy Spirit rests upon Him like a dove, willingly goes into the wilderness to fast and pray for forty days; where temptation from the devil awaits Him. I would be doing you a disservice if I said that following God means everything in life will be smooth sailing, easy, and that trials only come to those who are not following Jesus. Because of the brokenness of this world, wilderness seasons come to all. Just as winter always comes, just as night always comes, just as storms always come. Yes, sometimes these seasons are the result of our own mistakes, the fruit of foolish decisions. But sometimes they simply happen, even when we are doing our very best to remain faithful to God.

So what does this passage say about God? I find it striking that David directs his prayers heavenward, expressing total reliance on God Himself to sustain him. He makes radical statements of faith such as, “Your steadfast love is better than life,” and, “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” The wilderness draws out true dependence on the Lord and belief in His goodness. There are times when life pushes us into a corner and we discover that God is already there. I have known people who faced the depths of despair and loss, who by all appearances should have been hopeless, yet somehow God revealed Himself to them in the lowest moments of their lives. And though they thought their lives were covered by the shadow of despair, it was actually the shadow of His wings, sustaining them and bringing hope to weary and sorrowful souls. Hallelujah to the God who meets us in the desperate places of our lives and breathes His life and courage into us. This is a strength that can sustain us no matter what we face.

If you are in the wilderness today, it may be that tomorrow you will enter the promised land once again, or it may be that you still have a journey ahead of you through the wilderness. Worship leader Steffany Gretzinger once said, “There is nothing on earth that God will not either deliver you from or carry you through.” Be comforted by the words of our Savior:

“But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Prayer:
Father, thank You that You are God even in the wilderness. Even in sorrow, trials, and temptation, You are with me. For that, I thank You, and I trust You. I know that Your love is better than life itself, so let that love sustain me through the night, however long it may last. I want to lean upon Your strength and power to carry me. Amen.