Here is an example from our study this week. Where do you see Jesus in this passage? There are some different ways you can go.

This is the direction I went. I found it to be more hopeful and helpful than some of the ways I once studied the Bible. There are other ways in this method a person could go. This is the way I took.

Of course, GOD is present all the way through here. But as I read this, I become discouraged easily. I can’t often say I thirst for GOD in the way David expresses here. My tendency is to read this passage and become more and more disheartened as I move through it.

Yes, I can repent for my lack of desiring GOD more, but sometimes it feels like a dead-end. I don’t think it is the point of this passage David is writing. There are other passages written to describe his sadness over sin.

That isn’t the point of this one. How do I join in with David in this hymn of worship?

Here is one way.

Reading the Bible realizing that each book is part of the full story

As I back up from it a bit and see it as part of the full story of the Bible, I see this is a Psalm of David, the anointed King of Israel. They were under his rule during this time, but even then, there was much that was lacking in the kingdom at that time. Life was far from perfect.

As I read this, I can feel what they must have felt…that yearning for the Promised King Jesus. That is the One all of us throughout time can join together with David to long for as he did!

I can feel what they must have felt...that yearning for the Promised King Jesus. Share on X

We’re getting a taste of it now as we look for a presidential candidate!

As I read through this passage thinking of Jesus the perfect King, the One they were waiting for, in that description, I was able to join in with David in a richer way. I wasn’t looking at me, but Jesus. What would it be like for Him to be King? What would His Kingdom be like if He was ruling?

Stopping to think about the day His Kingdom comes to Earth is a glorious thought!

We won’t see it here on earth, but it helps us think about it to regain that sense of longing for the day when His Kingdom will come on earth as it is in heaven when the New heaven and the New earth come to pass.

He fulfilled in His life the perfect life I couldn’t live. His death on the cross paid for the debt I couldn’t pay.

His steadfast love is better than life, it is not fickle like human love. It endures and holds tight during hard times.

And the part about my clinging to Him and His upholding me? Is that not a beautiful picture! I am clinging to Jesus for my life…and He is holding me up…because I am terribly weak. I can’t hang on for very long. Not only that, I’m not alone. He is present with me and holding me up.

My powerful, glorious King Jesus is present with me…satisfying my soul as a full meal satisfies.

This passage is full of delightful reminders of His glorious presence and power.

Think on this. Meditate. Selah.

Others in our group saw Jesus here in other ways. Also helpful and encouraging to see that we aren’t doing the Christian life alone or without resources.