Wake-Up Call Week 2 Tuesday

I lie awake thinking of You, meditating on You through the night. Because You are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 63:6-7

We have all been around someone when they are falling in love. Their joy is contagious, and even more, they cannot stop thinking and talking about the person they love. This is what happens when we love someone. We constantly think about and talk about those we love, whether romantic love, love for friends, or love for family members. The same should be true of our love for God. You see, when we love God, He occupies our mind’s attention and our heart’s affection. We cannot help but think about Him and talk about Him all the time. These are all markers of love for the people in our lives.

David reflects on God’s love, goodness, and faithfulness in Psalm 63. He begins the Psalm by talking about his longing for God. He spends time reflecting on how God has carried him and taken care of him in the past during difficult times. He recalls God’s great love. Then, he says, “I lie awake thinking of You, meditating on You throughout the day” (verse 6). Make no mistake, David loved God. His love for God ran so deep that it occupied his thoughts throughout the entire day. This is the type of love that Jesus described in Matthew 12 when He shared that the greatest commandment is “love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.”

According to David, something interesting happens when we think about God and His goodness. Thinking about God and all He has done ultimately leads to joy. “I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings,” he says (verse 7). Thinking of God and His provision and protection, David cannot help but sing for joy. The same joy that David experienced is available for you and me today. When we center our thoughts and hearts on God, He gives us joy.

A deep love for God means that He occupies our hearts and minds all throughout the day. We must take time to reflect on Him and His goodness to us. How have you seen God work in your life? How has He been faithful to you? How has He demonstrated His power in your life? Regardless of what you are walking through right now, even if you are in a desert season in your life, you can be sure that He will always take care of you. This will lead to joy. Are you weary and tired like David was at the beginning of Psalm 63? Take heart. Set your thoughts on God. As you do, you will be filled with joy.

MOVING TOWARD ACTION

It is time that we set our minds on God and the things of Him. Take some time today to get alone with God. Go on a walk and get away with just Him. Make a point to embrace silence so that you can focus solely on Him. As you do this, tell Him how much you love Him and thank Him for everything He has done for you.

GOING DEEPER

Read Psalm 63:1-11(NLT)