O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You, In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)
During the early development of the church in the late 200s, as civilisation increased, so was the corruption of the human soul, and the persecution of believers in Christ, increased.
Later on when Christianity was popular and became a state religion. The corruption in the cities began to institutionalise, in the church systems of the day. The church that was once persecuted became the persecutor. Some Christian believers could not hold this anymore and took the call of Scriptures in 1 Corinthians 16:17,18 literally…
Therefore “Come out from among them, And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”
These Daring men and women, some called the “Desert Fathers”; were early devoted Christians, whose practice of “asceticism” (a secluded life of sacrifice) in the Egyptian desert, beginning in the 3rd century, formed the basis of Christian monasticism. The “Desert Fathers” followed the example of Jesus’ life of poverty, service, and self-denial.
I hear you, sometimes you look at the church and wonder if “Satan” is the director of affairs. The fights, quarrels, corruption, anger and bitterness, unforgiveness, fake miracles, blatant sin, the list is endless, yet things go on every Sunday as though nothing is wrong.
Worst still is when you desperately fight to be free from a “habit, hurt or hang up” yet feel imprisoned in self destructive practices you cannot help. I feel the desperation too, why cant we not be different? You feel like withdrawing away to a forgotten island “Patmos” to seek for answers like “John” in the Book of Revelation.
In the 1500s, a Carmelite priest by the name of “John of the Cross,” influenced the Spiritual life of many, because of his life of Self Denial to know nothing but experience Jesus Christ. John of the cross explains that as a believer grows in Faith, God allows a season of “drought” to come in.
No matter your previous spiritual victories and experiences; You come to a place of humble surrender. The place where our spiritual pride is dealt with and we find ourselves in deep desire to meet God.
John of the Cross calls that experience the “DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL.”
Psalm 42 and 63 are considered to be sister Psalms written by David probably under the same circumstances, one informs the other. David is in deep agony and withdraws in the “wilderness of Judah” where he writes these Psalms.
King David seems to be in a sought of his own ”DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL.” What is significant about this “wilderness of Judah?”
- It is here that David spent his childhood caring for his father’s flock.
- It is here that David learnt to use his sling and protect his father’s flock.
- It is here that David harnessed his experience that would enable him to Defeat Goliath the Giant.
- It is here that David ran to hide when Saul filled with rage and jealousy, sought to destroy him.
- It is here that David now runs away from his son seeking to overthrow his government and kill him.
In the wilderness of Judah “David wrestles with his fears and seeks after God.
- Are you encountering “The Dark Night of the Soul?”. Some old childhood memory, some recent experience you are struggling to erase from your mind. Today as you withdraw in fasting and prayer; in your wilderness experience, do not fear to engage your “DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL”
- Some of us are already there and ears alert, to hear what God is saying. Some of us are yet to arrive there, and are still on top of the “SPIRITUAL EXCITEMENT MOUNTAIN” not wanting to come down.
BUT wait, it is coming! To the sensitive soul, God allows all manner of things to usher the soul into that place of INTROSPECTION.
NOW! Take your Bible and note book read the whole of Psalm 63. Meditate on v/s 1 and write down your experience.
O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You, In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)
Reflect on your “Dark Night of the Soul” What is God telling you?