A Hunger For God

O God, You are my God; . . . My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You.

Psalm 63:1

It is amazing that with no knowledge of eternal life, no knowledge of a sacrificial Savior, no knowledge of the resurrection—all the things we know well in the New Testament era—Old Testament saints like David had such a longing for God. They had a sense of His presence with them that few Christians seem to enjoy in our day.

David must have already learned that even the royal trappings of kingship could not provide what his heart needed, that only God could slake his thirst and satisfy his longing. He had lived long enough to know that none of what the world offers, whether in the desert or the palace, could satisfy the longings of his heart.

Someone has said that Satan knows nothing of true pleasure and satisfaction, that he is an expert only in amusements. David had learned the difference, and we would do well to imitate him. True pleasure comes from knowing God, being known by God, and being at rest in His presence.