This morning as we listen to his voice in Psalm 63—David is an old man, all alone, staying in the Judean Wilderness (code for the Dead Sea area) one of the most desolate spots on earth, and on the run from his own son Absalom. That is the context that God uses to write for us one of the most powerful invitations to a life of worship.
Psalm 63 shows us how David chose to turn his lonely hours into times of worshiping God. Loneliness was as real then, as it is today.
We have come to a place in human history when people are lonely—yet surrounded by crowds. Life in the 21st century is very lonely for many people.
Though there are more humans than ever before alive and around us—many find less fellowship, companionship, and fulfillment each year. We move past, around and by, more and more people each day—but know fewer and fewer.
We often move faster—but not closer.
We often have more contact—but less touch.
We have more and more relationships—but less and less depth. And all of this leads to that aching hollow of the soul known as loneliness.
This common condition links Adam in the Garden before God made Eve, Ruth the widow, Job sitting in the ashes of misery, Elijah in the desert (I Kings 19), the Apostle Paul in prison (II Timothy 4), and Christ from Gethsemane to the Cross—for all were painfully alone.
DAVID WAS OFTEN ALONE
This morning in Psalm 63, we find David in that state that often characterized his life—and what he did when he was alone reflecting what was deepest within him.
Long and lonely hours are often reflected from the record God has given us of David’s life. Even when surrounded by a nation, an army, and his own family—David often feels alone. Most of his Psalms come from that reference point. Think of David’s greatest Psalms that we have walked through.
• Psalm 23: alone a shepherd boy;
• Psalm 9: alone facing Goliath;
• Psalm 132: alone in his home as a boy;
• Psalm 142: alone fleeing King Saul, and hiding in a cave;
• Psalm 34 & 56: alone as a prisoner at Gath;
• Psalm 101: alone on the Throne as he assumed the kingship of Israel;
• Psalm 31: alone on the battlefield as he fled Absalom;
• Psalm 32 & 51: alone before God facing his own sinfulness.
Much of David’s life was spend alone. But, we must also never confuse solitude with loneliness. Solitude is a chosen state to stimulate contemplation and meditation; but loneliness is an unwelcomed, unsought, and undesired visitor.
One doctor has written: “Acute loneliness seems to be the most painful kind of anxiety which a human being can suffer”.
Not much has changed in 3,000 years, has it? One of the sociological phenomenons of the 21st century is that the more the population increases, and travel and communication explode, conveniences and comforts abound, and the increasing freedom and security of financial independence multiplies—loneliness floods our world.
DSS-48 – David – A Long Obedience in Worshipping God (061112AM)
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