Skip to main content

The shadow of God's wings: Psalm 63.1–11 (Day 133)

Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.

Pray

Pray

Lord, prepare me to receive your word. Clear my mind and warm my heart. Assure me of your loving purposes for me, and speak into my life today.

Reflect

Daily reflection: Psalm 63.1–11

In Psalm 63, the psalmist writes movingly about his longing for God. 'My whole being desires you; like a dry, worn-out, and waterless land, my soul is thirsty for you', he says (verse 1).

The language of this psalm is deeply devotional. The psalmist is not expressing anger or sorrow at his circumstances, or asking for help against his enemies (though there's a robust expression of confidence in verses 9–10). He's just saying how much God means to him and how much he loves him.

Perhaps some of us tend to over-think our faith, and get too wrapped up in the details of doctrines or denominations. We might get too wrapped up in church politics, or swamped by the small details of church life, which has its irritations as well as its blessings – other people are not always joy-bringers. But the psalmist recalls us to the heart of faith: that we aren't Christians because Christianity is interesting, or because of what we can get out of it, but because we are convinced that God is loveable.

And this desire for God is itself a confirmation of our faith. As C.S. Lewis says in Mere Christianity, 'Creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists ... If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.'

Pray

Pray

God, thank you that you have put eternity into our hearts, and that you make us restless for you. Keep my desires fixed on you, and guard me from the distractions that make me forget your grace to me.


This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor

Share this:

Read the Bible icon Read the Bible
Open the full Bible