August 6, 2019 
The word Sabbath means to cease.  So as Dr. Brooks is away on sabbatical, we will be using his original devotionals from 2009 on the book of Psalms.  He will resume The Bible Project devotionals upon his return.  Thank you for reading with us and praying for him as he replenishes his soul for the next seven years of ministry.
Psalm 63
1 You, God, are my God,
    earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
    my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
    where there is no water.
2 I have seen you in the sanctuary
    and beheld your power and your glory.
3 Because your love is better than life,
    my lips will glorify you.
4 I will praise you as long as I live,
    and in your name I will lift up my hands.
5 I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
    with singing lips my mouth will praise you.
6 On my bed I remember you;
    I think of you through the watches of the night.
7 Because you are my help,
    I sing in the shadow of your wings.
8 I cling to you;
    your right hand upholds me.
9 Those who want to kill me will be destroyed;
    they will go down to the depths of the earth.
10 They will be given over to the sword
    and become food for jackals.
11 But the king will rejoice in God;
    all who swear by God will glory in him,
    while the mouths of liars will be silenced.

New International Version (NIV)
 "Desert view property!"  On a mission trip to El Paso, we saw realty signs offering a view of the desert.  David viewed more of the desert than he wanted.  In the desert of Judah, he found himself seeking God.  Hear his heart and see if you see yours:  "O God you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you in a dry and weary land where there is no water."   

Droughts destroy.   But drier than the soil are our souls apart from God.  David can deal with the drought, but the drought of his soul drives him to long for God.  Sometimes there is inspiration in our desperation.  

David remembers seeking God in the sanctuary and experiencing his power, glory and love.  As he seeks the Lord he senses that his soul is satisfied.  Augustine prayed, "O God you have made us for yourself.  We are restless until we find rest in you." 

How can we seek the Lord today?  Like David, we seek him in worship.  From parched lips in a parched land comes perfect praise.  As long as we are alive, we praise God.  Like David, we seek him at all times:  "On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night.  Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings." 

Remember the promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14:  "If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal their land."  Good news:  if we thirst for God, he will satisfy our souls.  As Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you."  Our God makes streams in the desert.  Seek him now! 
This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan.  Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download 
the app at readscripture.org.  Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully, 
Duane 

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