Intimacy With God

Psalm 63:1-5

You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy. (Psalm 63:5)

THE FAMILIAR SAFETY SPEECH OF flight attendants always seems to encourage selfishness in cases of emergency. They tell you that if the oxygen masks drop, you should put yours on first before attempting to help your children or anyone else. That goes against a parent’s instinct, of course, but it makes perfect sense. If you are incapacitated, you won’t be of help to those around you. In order to give, you actually have to be in a position to give.

That familiar illustration points to an important spiritual truth that most believers know but few practice: If we aren’t being nourished by the Spirit of God, we will not be able to nourish others with anything of spiritual value. We see this from time to time when vocational pastors are so busy with ministry activities that they burn out or begin to show the cracks in their foundation that have been left untended. Maintaining a balance between intimacy with God (nourishment) and ministry with God (nourishing) is vital. Those who receive without ever pouring out become glutted and inwardly focused; those who pour out without ever receiving have no supernatural wisdom, power, or love to offer. Having a proper balance makes us both fruitful and fulfilled.

The old expression about being too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good is wrong. The world needs people who are heavenly minded—who have spent time experiencing God’s presence and communing with him. A heart that embraces the attitude David expressed at the beginning of Psalm 63—a thirst and longing for God himself—will eventually be satisfied, and in being satisfied, will be well positioned to help others find the satisfaction they crave too. Fulfillment is contagious; people are drawn to those who know their God and are satisfied in him. There is no greater testimony, no matter how selfless any other attitude appears. Let your soul be filled with the power and presence of God; then pour him out on those around you. Your fulfillment reflects him well.

{Lord, I do long for you; my soul cries out for your presence. Satisfy me with your embrace. Give me the faith to know in the depths of my heart how thoroughly loved and valued I am—and then to love others as I have been loved. As extravagantly as I’ve received, let me extravagantly give. Amen.