David: A Long Obedience in Worshiping God (48 of 49)
Turning Lonely Hours into Worship Times
John Barnett
Psalm 63
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 the 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 reflects 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;
...
Turning Lonely Hours into Worship Times
John Barnett
Psalm 63
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 the 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 reflects 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;
...
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