Day 88: Psalms 35,54,63,18

Today's reading is 4 different psalms all written by David during the period of time we've been reading about in 1 Samuel. These psalms seem to have a common theme...and that is that God is his source of hope, protection and confidence.

He is not shy about expressing his frustration to God:

How long, Lord, will you look on?
   Rescue me from their ravages,
   my precious life from these lions. (35:17)

But he is also quick to acknowledge that God is indeed faithful:

Surely God is my help;
   the Lord is the one who sustains me. (54:4)

While David was running and hiding in caves from Saul I think he knew something of what it was like to be thirsty and hungry...probably in ways far beyond what I've ever experienced. It's that thirst that he compares to his desire to know God:

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. (63:1)

And when he worships God his hunger and thirst are satisfied:

I will praise you as long as I live,
   and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
   with singing lips my mouth will praise you. (63:4-5)

I'm reminded of the time Jesus says: "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." (John 4:34)
What I'm seeing here is a life that is completely centered on the Lord. Being God's man is food and water to David. It's what sustains him.

What sustains me? For what do I hunger and thirst? Where do I find satisfaction?

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
   my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
   my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (18:2)