Originally posted: 10/28/2020

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You, (63:3).

Waiting, seeking, remembering, running, facing oppression and conspiratorial threats. Today we see David living what is often referred to as a “wilderness experience.” And as a matter of fact, the title inscribed above Psalm 63 reveals that is exactly where he is: “A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah.”

And it’s dangerous out there.

How long will you assail a man,
That you may murder him, all of you,
Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence? (62:3).

But those who seek my life to destroy it… (63:9).

As imminent doom and danger are in hot pursuit, and in a situation that must have felt all too familiar to the shepherd boy who had spent much time guarding his flock from predators in the wilderness, David reminds himself to be silent; but he was not addressing the sound of his voice. David was calming his soul, his feelings and emotions; steadying his senses to trust in his Rock and Salvation.

My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.
² He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken, (62:1-2).

And as David honestly poured out his heart before the Rock of his strength and refuge, he made a choice amidst the turbulence of lawlessness and peril, to silence his soul and fix his thoughts, his hope and his trust on the truth of his God.

My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
⁶ He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
⁷ On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
⁸ Trust in Him at all times, O people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us, (62:5-8).

And in light of the truth of God and the truth of man, life here on earth was brought into clear focus.

Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie;
In the balances they go up;
They are together lighter than breath, (62:9).

And when an understanding that this life is fleeting and lighter than breath, when that insight truly takes hold of our thought life, the reality comes to light that is beyond dispute: His Lovingkindness Is Better Than Life.

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You, (63:3).

Consider His Lovingkindness that is Better Than Life

His Lovingkindness is also translated as unfailing love, steadfast love, loving devotion, faithful love, constant love, gracious love, loyal love, and mercies. And in Jesus, He has powerfully demonstrated that there is no length to which His unfailing, steadfast, devoted, faithful, constant, gracious, loyal, and merciful love will not go.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him,” (John 3:16-17).

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? (Romans 8:32).

Jesus gave His Life so that we would know and be secure in His Lovingkindness that is Better Than Life. And anything the world has to offer, simply cannot compare.

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, (Philippians 3:7-8).

How do we respond to His Lovingkindness that is Better Than Life?

David left us some tremendous encouragement and purposeful ways to respond to His Lovingkindness that is Better Than Life.

• Let us not set our hearts on anything this life offers, for His Lovingkindness is Better Than Life.
  • Do not trust in oppression
    And do not vainly hope in robbery;
    If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them, (62:10).

• Let us trust His power and justice for this life as we stand on His truth in faith that His Lovingkindness is Better Than Life.
  • Once God has spoken;
    Twice I have heard this:
    That power belongs to God;
    ¹² And lovingkindness is Yours, O Lord,
    For You recompense a man according to his work, (62:11-12).

• Let us make every day an opportunity to worship and bless Him unashamedly as long as we have breath, for truly His Lovingkindness is Better Than Life.
  • So I will bless You as long as I live;
    I will lift up my hands in Your name, (63:4).

• Oh, may we truly come to find all our satisfaction and joy in His Lovingkindness that is Better Than Life.
  • My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
    And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips, (63:5).

• At the end of every day as we lay our heads on our pillow, let us be intentional to remember and ponder the joy we have in His help, His protection and His Lovingkindness that is Better Than Life.
  • When I remember You on my bed,
    I meditate on You in the night watches,
    ⁷ For You have been my help,
    And in the shadow of Your wings I sing for joy.
    ⁸ My soul clings to You;
    Your right hand upholds me, (63:6-8).

May we just never get over being so thankful, being so astounded by His love that is truly impossible to describe. Oh, that our very lives would communicate the gratitude and satisfaction we have so graciously received, because truly, His Lovingkindness is Better Than Life

Because Your lovingkindness is better than life,
My lips will praise You.
⁴ So I will bless You as long as I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name.
⁵ My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness,
And my mouth offers praises with joyful lips, (63:3-5).

Let’s Grow Together!