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“Run for your life!” David must have been thinking. After all, Absalom (David’s son) had rebelled against his father, won the hearts of the people in Jerusalem, and had his eyes on taking his father’s place as King. If David chose to stay in Jerusalem, innocent people could have been killed not to mention his very own life taken. A father’s love for his son trumped retaliation. Rather than stay in Jerusalem and fight, David fled.
Psalm 63 finds David alone in the wilderness, hiding from those who are meant to kill him. As I read these verses I have to ask myself, “What would I do if I found myself in David’s place?” “Pity party” comes to the top of the list followed by panic, cold sweats and fear. But not David. He begins by recognizing God as his God, not just in a casual kind of way. His expressions of this knowledge are so personal. David believes from the core of his being that only God can satisfy his soul because God has proven Himself faithful so many times in his past. David owes his very life to Him.
Praises fall from David’s lips as he recounts God’s faithfulness, marvels at His power and is humbled by His love. While David could lament his condition and put all his focus on his situation, he chooses the better option—praise. He knows where his help comes from and this very knowledge is all the comfort he needs. Would it be so with me?
As the Lenten season continues, I pray that I might be solely focused on Christ alone not for what He can do for me, but for who He is. I pray that my love for Him might keep me up at night just so I can praise Him. I pray that I will marvel at His creation with a child-like wonder. When trials come, I pray my first reaction will be to remember God’s faithfulness. May you find strength in this psalm of David today.
LYNNE HOLDER
Missionary-in-Residence
Office of University Ministries
Psalm 63 finds David alone in the wilderness, hiding from those who are meant to kill him. As I read these verses I have to ask myself, “What would I do if I found myself in David’s place?” “Pity party” comes to the top of the list followed by panic, cold sweats and fear. But not David. He begins by recognizing God as his God, not just in a casual kind of way. His expressions of this knowledge are so personal. David believes from the core of his being that only God can satisfy his soul because God has proven Himself faithful so many times in his past. David owes his very life to Him.
Praises fall from David’s lips as he recounts God’s faithfulness, marvels at His power and is humbled by His love. While David could lament his condition and put all his focus on his situation, he chooses the better option—praise. He knows where his help comes from and this very knowledge is all the comfort he needs. Would it be so with me?
As the Lenten season continues, I pray that I might be solely focused on Christ alone not for what He can do for me, but for who He is. I pray that my love for Him might keep me up at night just so I can praise Him. I pray that I will marvel at His creation with a child-like wonder. When trials come, I pray my first reaction will be to remember God’s faithfulness. May you find strength in this psalm of David today.
LYNNE HOLDER
Missionary-in-Residence
Office of University Ministries
About this Plan
Again this year, through an intentional partnership between the College of Theology & Christian Ministry and the Office of University Ministries, we have been able to create and offer a Lenten Devotional Guide to help our campus community prepare for Easter.
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We are truly grateful for all of the individuals who have helped to make this fifth annual Lent and Holy Week guide a reality for our campus community, as it was indeed a campuswide collaboration that includes contributions from students, faculty and staff from across the campus, and even a few alumni. For more information, please visit: http://www.belmont.edu/
