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Daily Devotion: Psalm 63:1-2

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Psalm 63:1-2  A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.  "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;  (2)  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary."

"O God, thou art my God." We read these words and often think David is speaking the same thing about God. But in the original Hebrew, the word, God, used here are two different meanings. Let me try to explain what I see in these words. The first term, God, is used concerning the source of authority and power. He was saying that the Almighty God is the very One who directs his steps. We read back in Psalm 37:23, "The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD."  In other words, our ways are under the direction and authority of the Lord when we walk in the paths of righteousness. That is the first term used for God in today's verse. The second term for God speaks of our source of power. David was saying, "Not only are you the authority in my life Who directs my steps; but, you also are the source of strength whereby I can take those steps." Lord, you direct me AND you empower me to follow you.

As David realized these great truths, he understood his need to seek after God. Lord, give me direction and give me strength to follow you. At the time he was writing these words, David was in a dry place in life. He was dry of spirit and probably even dry of body and strength. He was in the wilderness. He had been taught and had experienced both the authority and power of God in his life; yet, at this point in time he needed to see that great truth applied as he was going from day to day. We can identify with this also. From our youth, we have been taught on Sunday of the goodness, mercy, and grace of God. But what about Monday through Saturday?  David said, "I have seen thee in the sanctuary." You and I have seen by way of the preached Word of God's love and care for us. David was saying (and each of us when we pray are saying), "Lord, I have heard of your authority and power. Now, I need to see and experience you as you intervene on my behalf." I'm so thankful that those things we read and learn from God's Word are still active in enlightenment and strength in our everyday life. Thank you Lord!

Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There's power in the blood, power in the blood.
Would you o'er evil a victory win?
There's wonderful power in the blood.

There is power, power, wonder-working power
in the blood of the Lamb;
there is power, power, wonder-working power
in the precious blood of the Lamb.

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