Desiring God

What do you do when you don't desire God.

Psalm 63 is wonderful... but is it often our reality?

Psalm 63:1 (ESV) O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.

Can we say the same? If we are honest, we'd say we don't desire God nearly as we should. But here David seems enamored with God.

So what do you do when you don't desire God?

Psalm 63:2 (ESV) So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.

David went to Church. I think this is an important point for those of us who don't desire God. Go to church anyway and see what happens. When we get in the presence of God and His people, our desires are trained for heaven. (So long as it's a good Gospel-driven church).

We need to understand that the desires we have are largely shaped by the things we put in front of our eyes. When I watch a food show late a night, I immediately wish to eat... which is the worst thing I can do at that time.

In His presence there is fulness of joy... But you'll never get an appetite for that fulness if you never go and take a look at it.

It's not fake, it's faith. Because God is not fake and He is pleased when we come to Him in faith. See Hebrews 11:6.

The next point is even harder:
Psalm 63:3–4 (ESV) Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.

David's not just going to go to church. David's going to sing, worship and express love for God at church. What a challenge to us! Instead of just watching, enter in, do something, put your heart into it. The laws of motion teach us that a body in motion tends to stay in motion. If you want love for God, love God! If you want the joy of God, rejoice in God! Tell yourself what to desire by desiring it with all of your self... that's the key to regaining your desire for God.

Remember this fact: You are made for Him and nothing else brings rest to your life like the presence of Your Father. Augustine said it best:  “Thou hast made us for thyself, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee."

Finally, David was confident that seeking God and desiring God would end in a satisfied life. He knew that he would be back! 
Psalm 63:5–8 (ESV) My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, 6 when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; 7 for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. 8 My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me. 

I hear many Christians talk about how they have never felt they were someone God wanted to be really close to... Saying things like "I'm just not that kind of person." And I fear they never will be as long as they keep speaking and thinking that way. 

Perhaps it's time to speak positively about your relationship with God. And because of Jesus you have every right to feel positive. he went all the way for you! He longs to reach out he to you. he came to seek and save you!

So when you don't desire God, perhaps the way back is not what you're waiting for God to do, perhaps its what God is waiting for you to do. Go after Him once again... seek Him... be satisfied.