“O God, you are my God; I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you;
my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you! I will praise you as long as I live, lifting up my hands to you in prayer. You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” Psalm 63:1 – 8 NLT
How can we truly understand God if we don’t first get to know Him?
On our spiritual journey, prayer and fasting serve as powerful methods to remove distractions and deepen our connection with Jesus Christ. On January 5th, Pastor Dominick Cotignola from Next City Church Assembly of God and his staff inspired our congregation to embark on a transformative 21-day fast. Through this commitment, we surrendered ourselves to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to bring us closer to Jesus. As we focused our hearts on His presence, we sought to become more like Him.
Despite the challenges, we uplift each other daily and gather every Wednesday via Zoom to read the Word, uncovering strength in our weakness, for in Him, we discover true power.
David’s life serves as a great illustration of this. He wrote Psalm 63 during a turbulent time while wandering the desert of Judah. Rather than letting the severity of his situation consume his thoughts, David deliberately focused his attention on the Lord, recognizing Him as the only one who is perfect and completely reliable. This purposeful redirection emphasizes an essential truth: David recognized that although his problems, feelings, and surroundings were temporary, God’s presence, love, and ability to deliver him were eternal.
Focusing on God instead of our problems is important because it helps us look beyond temporary feelings and situations. Meditating on who God is helps us to see things more clearly and shifts our perspective from despair to hope. Scripture provides us with timeless truths and promises, reminding us what God can do and how much He wants to have a relationship with us. By focusing on prayer and scripture, we build a foundation of faith that strengthens us during challenging times.
There have been times when I felt overwhelmed by the weight of different challenges. In one instance, when faced with uncertainty regarding a significant decision, I turned to Philippians 4:6-7, which encourages us to present our requests to God and assures us that His peace will protect our hearts. As I prayed about this passage, I felt a divine calm wash over me, shifting my attention from fear and doubt to trusting God’s plan. This experience illustrated the transformative power of God’s Word in redirecting my thoughts to His promises.
David poignantly states how God’s love is fundamental to our identity and worth when he says, “Your unfailing love is better than life itself” (Psalm 63:3). Understanding that God’s love is unconditional. His abundant grace allows us to trust Him, especially during prayer and fasting. This realization deepens our worship, transforming it from something we feel we have to do into a heartfelt response of His goodness and mercy.
David encourages us to meditate on the Lord and contemplate His nature. Reading scripture, reflecting on its contents, and allowing it to transform our thoughts are all part of the biblical concept of meditation. It’s important to set aside quiet time in the day not only to read and think about God’s Word but also to listen to God’s voice. He’s always speaking to us, but if we’re too busy talking, we’re not listening. Reading a passage, praying, and listening to God’s voice will help to draw us closer to the Lord and help us understand His truths more clearly; it will strengthen our love for Him.
Meditating on scripture serves as a guide to help us focus on God’s nature and directives. When we engage deeply in the Word, we anchor our thoughts in truth and stay guarded against the distractions of life. This regular practice cultivates a heart posture that is aligned with God’s will.
As we reflect on Psalms 63:1-8, let’s look for practical ways to include the Bible in our prayer times during this year’s fast. This could involve choosing specific passages to meditate on daily, creating a prayer journal with scripture to guide our requests, or memorizing verses as part of our fasting discipline.
IMPORTANT TAKEAWAYS:
- The Word of God should be our primary filter for processing thoughts and guiding our understanding of life’s complexities.
- To align with God’s purposes, we must know His Word intimately.
- The Word reveals the ultimate truth; anything contrary to it should not enter our minds or hearts.
- The Word showcases God’s perfect character, which is vital for understanding Him correctly.
- Knowing the Word is fundamentally linked to recognizing our identities as children of God.
- Engaging with Scripture daily empowers us to live out our faith actively and effectively.
- Stay connected with the body of Christ. We are not meant to be alone; One body and many parts.
Engaging in these practices can deepen our relationship with the Lord and ensure our hearts and minds remain steadfast and focused on Him.
Several scriptures have helped me maintain my focus on God. Here are some verses you can meditate on:
- Romans 8:28
- Jeremiah 29:11
- Joshua 1:8
- Isaiah 26:3
Prayer
Father, thank You for Your unwavering love. Your strength lifts me up, especially in my moments of weakness. Your Word and promises are my foundation; while heaven and earth may fade, Your Word remains eternal. It is true, alive, and a guiding light along my path, sustaining me when I can no longer run. May I always keep Your words in my heart to avoid sinning against You. Yet, even in my failures, Your loving hands reach out to lift me and guide me home. You left the 99 to bring me back. Blessed are You, Lord God, the everlasting One, who is, was, and is to come. In Jesus name, Amen.
Reference
The Holy Bible, New Living Translation. (1996). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Foundation.
