Devotion #28

CENTRAL TRUTH: We experience joy as we use our time, talent and treasure to accomplish Christ’s will for New Covenant Bible Church.

BIBLE PASSAGE: Psalm 63:1-8

In his book The Church God Blesses, Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, writes of the joy we find in praising God when we have taken the time to feast regularly on His word (p. 46), likening our spiritual bounty to a gourmet meal. This is based on today’s passage, Psalm 63:5: “My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my soul will praise you” (NIV).

King David goes on in Psalm 63 to speak of his meditations on God and His word during times of sleeplessness, and he finds his peace and security in the Lord. This Psalm reminds us of God’s overwhelming faithfulness to us. His power, glory, protection and preservation of His people through all circumstances is woven throughout the Old Testament stories, and we can experience that same sustaining and invigorating power today if we follow King David’s example of worship, confession, thanksgiving and rejoicing!

Take a look at this passage and see how each of these steps plays out in the text. Also consider reading Psalm 25, Psalm 34, or Colossians 3:12-17.

As New Covenant Bible Church seeks to fulfill its calling to make disciples, let us think about how our own spiritual health impacts the Church as a whole. Let us find our deepest nourishment and satisfaction in our Savior and Lord and share His bounty with each other and the world with joy!

If you have not done so yet, please open your Journey Guide to the corresponding devotion in the Reading Journal section. Journal your thoughts in response to the questions found there, spend some time in prayer, and take a couple of minutes to review this week's Memory Verse.

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Today's Author

Dave Rubsam

Hello! My name is Dave Rubsam, and I am married to a wonderful lady, Diane. We have four great children: Abby, Anna, Emma and Isaac. Diane and I have been married for 17 years (celebrated on Groundhog’s Day!), and we have attended New Covenant since 1991, shortly after we married. A little-known fact about me is that I can write forward and backward at the same time, using either hand (that’s what boredom in class in high school can teach you).

Comments

[Mark Eades]

Forward and backwards with both hands - now that is impressive. I can't even write correctly forward with only one hand.

I would add to that list Ps. 3 where David gets his strength from God. A strength that comes after a good night sleep. Thanks Dave for sharing.

[Richard Kramer]

King David is desperate. He hides from his enemies and runs for his life in the desert of Judah. David yearns for the security and comfort of the “sanctuary” at home where he “beheld God’s power and glory.” Sleep does not come easily when your deadly enemy prowls nearby.

Fear and insecurity can have a profound effect on us:
A frightened child reaches for the protecting arms of a loving parent. New York churches were full after 9-11. There are “no atheists in foxholes”…

What has all of this to do with NCBC today? David had to flee from his “sanctuary”. We are willingly going on a journey to build a new “sanctuary” on Center Point Road.

Some dangers we face:
- Misunderstanding of the true motives for the move, and therefore, possibly a tightening of purse strings by potential donors.
- The economy verges on recession. This could dry up funds as donors run low or out of money.
- Internal strife could arise among the leadership in the church (God forbid!) and stifle vision and cooperation.
- Building restrictions of various kinds and/or technical problems during the construction phase could slow down progress, etc.
It’s a desert out there . . . . (David calls it a desert; Monk says it’s a jungle . . . but I digress . . . .)

How can we learn from David here? He absolutely trusts God during this time of crisis. This prayer is not just any old prayer but it is one of the most intimate, expressive and meaningful prayers I have found. I read it as if I am praying it myself; then I am assured that the desert out there can be crossed with confidence. “I have beheld Your power
… I will praiseYou … my soul will be satisfied in You …You are my help.”

[Tom Scanlon]

I really liked the message version of these verses. If only I could be as diligent as David in praising and soaking up His glory.

"I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, ... So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory... I bless you every time I take a breath ... If I’m sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection. Because you’ve always stood up for me, I’m free to run and play. I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post."
Peterson, E. H. (2002). The Message : The Bible in contemporary language (Ps 63:1-8). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.

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oh so funny!

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No neighborhood could build a perpetual constitution, as well just like a perpetual law.(Thomas Jefferson, the states president)