What To Do When You Are in the Wilderness

Psalm 63:1-8

 

INTRO: Psalm 63 is introduced with these words: “A Psalm of David when he was in the wilderness of Judah.”  Yes, the great King of Israel, David, was in the wilderness.

David was in the wilderness literally and emotionally because of all the tough situations he was facing:

1. His own son, Absalom, had driven him from the throne at Jerusalem.

2. His confidant, friend, and counselor, Ahithophel, had turned traitor.

3. Once faithful subjects were now a band of armed rebels seeking to destroy him.

4. His nephew Amasa had turned against him and was now in cahoots with Absalom.

Gone was the palace with its good food, soft bed, fine music and servants.  Part of the pain that David felt was being away from his beloved Jerusalem, the city he loved.

David was not alone in the wilderness experiences; we all have them.  There are wildernesses of grief, despondency, depression, frustration, and even aggravation.  There are wilderness experiences when we are down and out and nothing seems to go right.

The worse wilderness for me is the spiritual one.  Do you ever feel like you are in a desert spiritually?  This is a bad place to be.

What can we do when we are in a wilderness of life?  The Bible will help us find out and get out.

 

I.        VSS 1-3, WHEN YOU ARE IN A WILDERNESS, NEVER STOP LONGING FOR AND SEEKING AFTER GOD

A.       Vs 1, David was in a wilderness physically.  David had traveled the Jericho road on his way out of Jerusalem.  He found himself out in the wilderness, in a dry, barren and wild land.  He was out in the desert because of Absalom had betrayed him, his people had forgotten his goodness to them and Ahithophel was a traitor.

1. In the midst of the storm of life, David sought God.

a. He sought God early.  Never start your day without first seeking God, especially when you are in the wilderness.  Do not let trials drive you from Him– seek Him, run to Him, draw near to Him.

b. “I will seek thee,” Spurgeon commenting says, “I will diligently seek thee, as merchants precious stones that are of the greatest value” (Vol 3, 138).

c. David was not seeking water; he was not seeking the blood of his enemies; he was not seeking vengeance– he was seeking God.

d. Yes, the child of God needs to seek after God in the midst of life’s troubles.  But note also that the lost need to seek God: “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isa 55:6).

2. David sought God because he had a longing in his heart, a thirst.

a. Like David, we live, “in a dry and thirsty land.”  We are strangers and pilgrims (I Pet 2:11).

b. When you are in a tight, in a desert spot, you need to long for God.  David knew that true satisfaction comes from God.  Poor folks who have the Lord can be satisfied while rich folks who are lost live in misery.

c. “This world has many amusements, but it has few pleasures.  Pleasure, as C. S. Lewis reminds us, is God’s invention.  Satan has never been able to manufacture a single genuine lasting pleasure.  We are driven back to God for the true enjoyment of life, and David knew this better than most” (Vol 1, Phillips 501).

B.       Vs 2, David wanted communion with God.  When we are in the wilderness, we need to commune with God.

1. It was in the wilderness that God spoke to Moses at the burning bush.  Friend, you may be in a real dry spot, but God can visit you with fire.  He can commune with you.

2. David wanted to see and to enjoy more of God and His glory.

a. David wanted to be back in Jerusalem, back in faithful worship attendance in the sanctuary.

b. It is in worship that we are reminded of the mighty work of God in salvation.

c. “....Believers grow in their knowledge of the divine character in the sanctuary, by observing and feeling the application of those great doctrines to the souls of men, by the power and influence of the Holy Spirit . . . . That it is characteristic of every good man, that he is devoutly attached to the solemnities of public worship” (Vol 3 Spurgeon, John Angell James). (II Pet 3:18).

d. Don’t run from worship in times of trouble; run to it.

C.      Vs 3, As David thought upon God’s grace, he found strength to face what was ahead.  You and I can face the trials of life by grace.  I Cor 12:9 says: “....My grace is sufficient for thee: for may strength is mad perfect in weakness most gladly in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  Trials will make us bitter or better.

1. Loving kindness is better than life because it goes beyond life on earth that is here spoken of to life eternal.

a. “Many men have been weary of their lives, as is evident in Scripture and history; but no man was ever yet found that was weary of the love and favour of God.  No man sets so high a price upon the sun as he that hath long lain in a dark dungeon” (Vol 3, Brooks).

b. God’s mercy and His grace are the best of all good things.  God’s mercy is better than any life any man could ever choose.  To be chosen of God is mercy.

2. “My lips shall praise thee.”  Here is a sure way to get up when you are down.  This is something you need to do when you are in your wilderness– Praise God!!!!!

a. If you are praising, you won’t be grumbling, griping, or sniping.

b. Praise says we are grateful and appreciative for what God’s grace has done for us (Eph 5:18-19).

c. Praise will drive the enemy away (II Chron 20:21-22).

 

II.       VSS 4-8, WHEN YOU ARE IN THE WILDERNESS, DON’T STOP LIVING AND WORKING FOR GOD

A.       Vs 4, We are to live our lives in praise and in service.  Our hands are to be lifted in praise and in service.

1. One sure fire way to get over your blah’s is to go to work for God.  Lift a hand– go to the nursing homes, visit the hospital, go to the homebound.  Take a handful of tracts and go door to door!

“Take my life, and Let it be consecrated, Lord to thee: