My Soul Thirsts for You (Psalm 63:1–4)
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Many of us here at Grace are familiar with Psalm 63. The psalm’s poetic language vividly paints a portrait of a man who has reached the point of desperation. All of the world’s goods—its treasures and its novelties—have run their course and have left the poet’s soul in want.
What are the things that you feel in want of, in life? Perhaps it’s job security. Or stability in your relationships. Or a new house, or a sick ride. David in Psalm 63 speaks of a different kind of “want,” however. He writes of need for soul-satisfaction.
Think of it this way: if our bodies need water to not only survive, but be healthy, what kind of substance (or being!) do our souls need to not only survive, but be healthy and flourish?
God.
In the gospel of grace, we learn that the Lord Jesus is himself the Answer to the pressing need of our souls: Communion with God.
This is why the Apostle Paul, in Colossians 1:28 says the following: “Him [Christ] we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, that we might present everyone mature in Christ.” Paul did not wish to preach anything less than Christ to the people of God.
My prayer as I lead and shepherd the students here at Grace in this season of our church’s life is to do just that: preach Christ! After all, because of Christ, we have perfect fellowship with God. Because of Christ, we have become children of our Father in heaven. Because of Christ, we have been given the precious elixir of the gospel: his righteousness. Sweet soul-satisfaction.
As way of an introduction, nearly eleven years ago, at the age of 19, I felt a distinct call of God to shepherd his people. Though I tried to shake this calling at first for fear of man, I realized in time that nothing I do, work wise, satisfies me like proclaiming Christ and caring for his people.
Since 2008, I have been blessed to serve various churches in both Lynchburg and Charlottesville. I studied Pastoral Leadership at Liberty University in both my undergraduate studies (2007–2010) and my seminary training (2010–2013). I am currently making progress on my doctoral degree in Historical and Theological Studies at Westminster Theological Seminary (2016–present) and was licensed in the Blue Ridge Presbytery (PCA) in April of this year.
In the midst of my studies, I have served and interned at churches such as Thomas Road (2010), The Point (2010–2011), Redeemer Presbyterian (2011–2015), and Mercy Presbyterian (2015–2018), before receiving a call to come serve here at Grace Community Church.
Looking forward, I couldn’t be more excited to worship our King Jesus with you all. He alone truly satisfies the deep longings of our souls, and I hope to make much of him in my ministry here, as we serve the students in our church.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.