Sermon: Wilderness
Bible Passage: Psalm 63
I. Background of the Psalm: Most likely, the psalmist was away from the Sanctuary (forced exile to be away 2 Sam 15:23-16:4) (cf. verses 1-2)
1. Superscription of the psalm says, “A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.”
2. David’s son Absalom staged a coup against him and usurped to the throne
3. David fled from his palace, the city, and the sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant was
4. There was a threat to David’s life from his own son, Absalom!
a. Enemies were seeking him to destroy his life (verse 9)
b. Liars probably slandering about the psalmist (verse 11)
c. The psalmist appears to be in a hostile environment—in a “forced” exile
5. David and his men came to a far place (Mahanaim), east of river Jordan
6. In verse 1, we read that the psalm was composed in the background of “dry and parched land” (verse 1)
A brief discussion on the term “wilderness?” or “dry and thirsty land” of verse 1 (literal and metaphorical)
II. Metaphorically, David’s wilderness in light of 2 Samuel 15:23-16:4 was
1. Betrayal by his own family
2. Threat to his life and career
3. Displacement, away from his place and the sanctuary where the Ark of the Covenant was
III. What are some of the wilderness in our context?
Verse 1
1. God, you are my God
2. I long for you
3. I thirst for you
4. I yearn for you
a. While in wilderness (in a dry and weary land where there is no water), the psalmist recognizes that his primary need is God (he needs God above all else)
b. Though the psalmist was temporarily living away from the sanctuary in Jerusalem, his relationship with his God did not grow weak, but, in fact, it grew stronger
c. The psalmist’s faith was not confined to geography or situations on ground, but he can enjoy the closeness even in the wilderness
d. For the psalmist, the spiritual vitals look healthy
Verse 2
1. I have seen you
2. I have witnessed your power and glory
a. The psalmist wants to experience the power of God in the wilderness just as he saw in the sanctuary
b. The experience of the psalmist is helping him to withstand his present situation
c. The thing that dominates the psalmist in his exile is not his home, comforts, but God
Verses 3-8 the psalmist makes a deliberate choice to consider reasons he can trust God in the wilderness
1. God’s covenant faithfulness is better than life
a. Life is not worth pursuing compared to God’s covenantal love (verses 3-4)
2. God’s covenant faithfulness is better than fat filled meat—Food is not worth pursuing compared to worship of God
3. God’s covenant faithfulness is better than comfortable sleep—Sleep/comfort is not worth pursuing compared to thoughts about God (verse 6)
4. God is worth pursuing than anything else in this world (verse 8)
Reflection on verses 3-8
1. In the midst of enmity and lies, the psalmist makes a truthful comparison between life and God’s love (vv.3-8)
2. Things derived from life, food, and comfort ultimately come from God (vv. 3-6)
3. Therefore, instead of pursuing these things, pursue God!
4. When enemies and unfavourable people surround the psalmist, it’s not his soldiers like Joab and military strategy that deliver him, but it is God who delivers him (verse 7, 9)
The psalmist makes the faith-filled choice to cling to the Lord (63:7-11)
1. Under your wings I rejoice (verse 7)
2. My soul pursues you (verse 8)
3. The king will rejoice in God (verse 11)
Reflections on verses 7-11
1. The psalmist focuses on God who is his shelter even when his enemies continue to pursue him but he believes that they would get defeated (verses 9-11) Great strategy to adapt!
2. The present situation does not consume his mind, but God consumes his thoughts (verses 9-11)
Just like David or even more, Jesus faced wilderness for forty days (Matt 4:1-10)
1. Jesus handled His wilderness with the Word of God
2. Jesus refused Satan’s suggestion to tempt God
3. Jesus did not compromise with Satan to get out of His wilderness ordeal
Take Away:
Enrich your relationship with the Father so that you may be able to withstand your wilderness seasons