Job: Oasis in the Desert

Psalm 63

E. M. Bounds, a nineteenth-century American attorney and author, wrote almost exclusively about prayer. In a book titled The Essentials of Prayer, Bounds wrote this:

Prayer has to do with the entire man. Prayer takes in man in his whole being, mind, soul, and body. It takes the whole man to pray, and prayer affects the entire man in its gracious results . . . The largest results of praying come to him who gives himself, all of himself, all that belongs to himself, to God.[1]

Prayer “takes in man in his whole being, mind, soul, and body.” Job's conversations with God teach us a great deal about prayer. God’s servant does not hold back; he expresses what is in his entire being. This is also how prayer is conveyed in the Psalms.

When King David wrote Psalm 63, he was in the wilderness of Judah—a dry, waterless place that led him to reflect on a deeper thirst for God.

Psalm 63:1
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

David’s soul desired refreshment. His prayer was neither flippant nor shallow; he intently sought God. Bible scholar Alan Ross notes that this verse can be translated as “early will I seek you,” which has prompted many believers to read this psalm in the morning. Ross says, “seeking someone early suggests doing so earnestly.”[2] Spending time with God at the start of each day is always beneficial, but we can’t leave God behind at our special “quiet time” spot. Prayer demands that we engage in an ongoing conversation with God (1 Thess. 5:17). Job’s prayers are recorded for us to read, reflect on, and study. We know Job was continually praying for his family (Job 1:4-5), and we can be sure Job’s ongoing conversations with God during his crisis continued long into the night. Likewise, David spent time in worship and prayer. During those special times with God, David witnessed God’s power and glory (Ps. 63:2).

Psalm 63:3-4
Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

David was committed to blessing and worshiping God for as long as he lived. “Steadfast love” is a translation of the rich Hebrew word hesed. It signifies a covenantal love that will never let us go, ensuring we will always be children of God. This steadfast love comes with all the spiritual blessings we have in Jesus. He has chosen us, made us holy and blameless, adopted us as his children, redeemed us, and forgiven us, “according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:3-14). Thus, David declared, and believers can say, that God’s “steadfast love is better than life.” It is God who satisfies our souls as with “fat and rich food” (Ps. 63:5) and protects us under the shadow of his wings (Ps. 63:7).

Let’s pause for a moment to reflect on Psalm 63:8. This is one of my favorite images in all of Scripture.

Psalm 63:8
My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

What comes to your mind when you read this passage? When you cling to something, you hold on tight. You hold on for dear life. Here’s the picture of a child with arms wrapped around their parent’s neck. The child is not about to let go. And the parent will not let go either. God has his strong right hand securely holding us! What a powerful truth! As we hold on to God, he holds on to us.

So, you are going through a challenging time. The situation is serious, and you are losing hope. The cancer is progressing, and the pain won’t subside. There has been no communication with your estranged child. The divorce is finalized, and disappointment has turned into despair. Like Job, you feel exhausted and want God to resolve the situation. I understand; I have been there... and will be there again. But today... just for today... one day at a time... cling to the heavenly Father. Hold tight to his promises. Here are a few to reflect on today. We will consider these again in our upcoming study of Isaiah.

Isaiah 26:3-4
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:2-3a
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read Psalm 63. Reflect on the flow of the psalm, focusing specifically on verse 8. Meditate on the passages from Isaiah.

Talking to God
Ask God to help you cling to him with your entire being—body, soul, and mind. And thank him for holding on to you.

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