The Verse of the Day

-October 7, 2020-

Good morning, happy Wednesday,

-Seeking Joyful Fellowship With The Lord In The Wilderness-

“O God, You are my God; Early I will seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.”

(Psalm 63:1).

David spent a lot of time in the wilderness of Judah while he was on the run from King Saul who sought to kill him. He did not choose this place. He would much rather been at home with his family or serving in the palace where he was before.

The Israelites spent forty years traveling through the wilderness on their way to the Promised Land. Jesus was in the wilderness forty days and forty nights where He neither ate nor drank, and was tempted by the devil. John the Baptist prepared himself for his ministry while in the wilderness.

The wilderness is hot, dry, and barren. It is a type of this world in which we live on our way to heaven. Spiritual conditions today remind us of a wilderness. So few are saved, even fewer are walking with God, honoring Him and serving Him. Yet in all these things we need to seek the Lord and long for Him. That is exactly what David did. He realized that there was nothing better than the time he spent in joyful and sweet fellowship with the Lord.

The things of this world appear so good, so desirable to our physical eyes, but they offer no real, lasting satisfaction or fulfillment. They are like a mirage in the desert, which is an optical illusion which has the appearance of water but no water is there. On the other hand, Jesus is our oasis in the wilderness, which is a fertile green area in an arid area; something that provides refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast.

Yes, Jesus is our true oasis. He provides us with real rest, refreshment, joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. He gives us the living water which quenches the inner thirst and longings of our hearts. John 7:37-38 says, “On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, ‘If anyone thirst, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

We are so blessed to have fellowship with the living God, to spend time in His presence in prayer, and to be encouraged and refreshed in the Word of God. We need to spend time with Jesus daily before going out into this dry and thirsty land. He fills up our cup to overflowing with the joy of knowing Him!

Let us then spend time with the Lord in prayer and His Word today and be refreshed in His presence in this wilderness we are in. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean