Has your heart ever ached for something that you just couldn't put into words? Have you ever been in a dry place in your life? Have you ever felt like there was nothing that would quench your 'thirst'? I know in my life I've been to the 'desert' and back. I've had times when I thought I couldn't go on, when there was nothing in life that would satisfy what I was looking for. I felt that life had no meaning and wasn't worth living. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever thought that?
Don't despair. King David felt that way many, many times in his life, as outlined in the Psalms, or songs, that he wrote. Many of these songs were his heart's cry poured out into words and arranged with music. David knew God cared about every aspect of his life and that God could deliver him from anything, no matter how hopeless his situation seemed or actually was.
Here are some of the words that David used to vent his frustrations and desperate feelings, paraphrased to be more easily understood.
Psalm 3:1: "Lord, look at how my enemies have grown in number! There are a lot of people against me." Psalm 6:6: "I'm sick and tired of feeling awful; I cry so much at night that I'm swimming in my bed; my tears have soaked my bed." Psalm 22:1: "My God, my God, why have you left me? Why are you so far away, not helping or hearing my pleas for help?"
Do you think that David, a man after God's own heart, didn't know sorrow? Do you think that even with the whole kingdom at his disposal he didn't know suffering, loss and anguish? He was just like the rest of us: frail in his humanity. He knew the loss of a friend, Prince Jonathon. He knew betrayal—from his own son, Absalom. Those he trusted and loved were taken from him, or they turned against him. David knew what it was to be in despair.
David also knew who controlled the universe. David knew who had made him and who had the power and authority to punish those who had wronged him. David trusted in God to make sure that everything that happened was for God's glory and honor, and that God was able to hear and answer all of David's cries.
Here are some more song lyrics that David penned:
- Psalm 3:3: "But you, Lord, are my shield; my glory, and you lift my head up. I shouted to the Lord out loud, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Amen."
- Psalm 8:1: "O Lord our Lord, how awesome is your name everywhere on earth! Your glory is beyond and above even the heavens."
- Psalm 9:9: "The Lord will be a safe, sheltered place for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble." avid knew who his God was: the supreme ruler, maker and sustainer of everything in our universe. David's God was THE God—the 'God of peace' (Heb. 13:20). He was David's 'strength' (Ps. 18:1), his 'rock,' 'fortress,' 'deliverer' and 'high tower' (Ps. 18:2).
If you're ever in despair, if you're ever in pain, if you're ever feeling 'dry' and it seems like nothing can satisfy your emptiness inside, know this: there is hope; there is comfort; there is a 'spring of living water' that can quench any thirst and satiate any hunger you might have. As Paul put it in his letter to the Christians at Corinth: "But my God will supply all of your needs out of the never ending supply of his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
The God who has made everything you can see, and an infinite number of things you can't see, loves you. There are no strings attached. He sent His only Son to die for you. No matter what you do, God loves you. He wants to spend time with you. He'll never be too busy to talk. His schedule is always open to hear what you have to say. His greatest desire is to have you come to Him and cry out to Him. Be dry no more. God has a waterfall of love and comfort to quench your thirst. All you have to do is call out to Him. He will hear and answer you.
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