The Gift of Need

Psalm 65

Praise waiteth for thee...O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house..By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea.. Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people. They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice...Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God..” (v.1-9)

This psalm is one of great paradox and insight. There is a dance between great needs and great provision enjoined by the state of ‘complete satisfaction’. We begin with David and the people approaching their place of worship in a state of proper preparation. They “wait” or silence all

hearts and minds before the presence of God, where they become profoundly aware of their unrighteous state before a Holy God. David then assures the people that the very desire to be in God’s presence was by God’s invitation and he would not reject those who embrace the great

mercy and love he must have for them. God’s presence stirs our deepest needs for Him while offering through mercy a way to completely satisfy our needs. It is only by the confidence in God’s love and mercy extended toward us that all creation is made complete.

David then represents how God’s presence satisfies the anguish and restlessness of all people just like the way God can calm the unsettled waves, he also brings rest to the “tumult of people”. Nature can often manifest powerful displays that appear awesome in wonder and even fearful. These are the “tokens” or signs of just how restless we can become. This refers back to the “terrible things” and awesome stirrings for God. Observing such desperate activity reminds us that only in God can bring peace from “ morning to evening”. We are told that God visits the earth to water and enrich even the plants that depend on God to meet all needs of creation through loving grace in abundance.

We were created to live abundant “lively” lives through a partnership with God himself. It is only in God’s presence that we recognize our deepest need for Him and accept the fellowship provided for us through his love and mercy. Life can only be enriched by love and the greatest expression of love is through the act of sharing it. That is why we were created. God offers such a gift of loving by loving us despite that which is unlovable within us. That is what emphasizes his love above all. The gift of our needs is our invitation to abundant living through our merciful and loving God. Let your needs remind you of God’s faithfulness, my friends. Have a great day.