Psalm 23 Study - Delight In God

I often dream of sushi...

Although I sure like me some burgers and fries...

But sometimes it's all about PIZZA!

(Now I've done it.  My stomach is grumbling and craving a slice with mushrooms and onions.  Maybe if I drink enough water I'll forget about it.)

<whimper>

In A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, Phillip Keller explains that sheep will lie down only when they are free from

• Fear
• Hunger
• Disease
• Conflict

Last week we talked about our Shepherd freeing us from fear.  This week we will tackle the idea of our Shepherd freeing us from hunger.

One definition for "hunger" is "the painful sensation or state of weakness caused by the need of food."  I can testify to the painful part.  CiCi's is calling out my name.  Right this minute I feel like if I don't get some macaroni and cheese pizza, I'll start frothing at the mouth with my eyes rolling to the back of my head.

But is food the only thing that can cause this feeling?  Another definition for hunger is "a strong or compelling desire or craving." 

Well, well, well, that makes things a little more interesting!

So the obvious question - what do we desire?

I thought about listing some possibilities here, but somehow I don't think I need to.  If someone were to ask any one of us, "What do you want the most?", I dare say we'd all have an answer.

So instead let's focus on what Scripture says.  What does our Shepherd tell us about desire?

Verse 4 in Psalm 37, another psalm of David, speaks to this topic - Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Too often we zone in on the promise - "he will give you the desires of your heart."  But we reach that destination by traveling the road "Delight yourself in the LORD." 

And delighting in God is really one of the easiest things you'll ever do.

Let's start here:

Delight in the Lord - Father, Your sky is so beautiful.  It's different every moment.  You have created so many amazing colors.  Your creativity is beautiful and endless!

Delight in the Lord - Father, what were you thinking when you created the giraffe?  I smile every time I see one.  I so enjoy your creativity!

Delight in the Lord - Father, You are bigger and more majestic than I can imagine.  I'm amazed that the One that set the stars cares about me and my life.  Thank you for loving me.

Delight yourself in the LORD.

The Shepherd satisfies our hunger when we delight in Him.  Our fulfilled desires are just the cherry on top.

Questions:

• What do you see in nature that inspires you to delight in God?
• What has God already done in your life that inspires you to delight in Him?

Comments

[Mom Reyes]

The one thing in nature that makes me delight in God more than anything else are 'mornings.'
In my new retirement, I now have the gift of time to get up early and go on long walks (with my puppy CoCo). It is definitely a spiritual experience for me. I revel in the warmth, freshness, purity, but mostly - HOPE and PROMISE, that each new morning brings. Everything is bright and luminous, and oh so glorious. It is quiet, except for the singing of the birds, instilling a sense of etheral celebration of great hope and anticipation for the day ahead. It is my time of oneness with God, I reserve this time for thanksgiving.
God has brought me through quite a few trials and tribulations but still shown me HOPE; for example, the unexpected loss of both my parents. He held me up through my grief, and granted me HOPE.

[crissy]

One thing in nature that inspires me is the ocean. Sitting on a boat with a fishing pole watching all of God's creation passing by. His creation is so uniquely designed. Every fish has it’s own beauty and personality. A few weeks ago I took two children on a fishing trip that have never experienced salt water fishing. The one thing that I prayed was that they would be able to see God's beauty is His creation - Most fishermen pray for the catch but I always pray to enjoy the beauty. During the trip we saw over twenty purposes, two sharks swimming together (like friends flipping around with their fins sticking up), red fish, trout, jelly fish, hermit crabs, millions of birds on Bird Island. God blessed us with allowing us to see all that he created and while each creature, plant, even the ocean is beautifully created - I know that He loves me more then all the beauty of the world. When I am fishing I feel as if I am in the presence of God - I have a peace that is real. I know that the two children will remember what they caught for awhile but I know they will remember that God created it all forever. Just as the video - When I was a child we use to go beach coming to collect shells. My favorite was the sand dollar because when you cracked it open the inside would look like a cross and little white chips that looked like a dove would fly out. My Mom would always say as we cracked them open that God is in everything. I truly believe that statement.