Solitude


Psa 69:5  God, you know every sin I've committed; My life's a wide-open book before you. 

Psa 69:6  Don't let those who look to you in hope Be discouraged by what happens to me, Dear Lord! 

	GOD of the armies! Don't let those out looking for you Come to a dead end by following me-- 

	Please, dear God of Israel! 

Psa 69:7  Because of you I look like an idiot, I walk around ashamed to show my face. 

Psa 69:8  My brothers shun me like a bum off the street; My family treats me like an unwanted guest. 

Psa 69:9  I love you more than I can say. Because I'm madly in love with you, They blame me for 

	everything they dislike about you. 

Psa 69:10  When I poured myself out in prayer and fasting, All it got me was more contempt. 

Psa 69:11  When I put on a sad face, They treated me like a clown. 

Psa 69:12  Now drunks and gluttons Make up drinking songs about me. 

Psa 69:13  And me? I pray. GOD, it's time for a break! God, answer in love! Answer with your sure 

	salvation! 

Psa 69:29  I'm hurt and in pain; Give me space for healing, and mountain air. 

Psa 69:30  Let me shout God's name with a praising song, Let me tell his greatness in a prayer of thanks. 

Psa 69:31  For GOD, this is better than oxen on the altar, Far better than blue-ribbon bulls. 

Psa 69:32  The poor in spirit see and are glad-- Oh, you God-seekers, take heart! 

Psa 69:33  For GOD listens to the poor, He doesn't walk out on the wretched. 

Psa 69:34  You heavens, praise him; praise him, earth; Also ocean and all things that swim in it. 

Psa 69:35  For God is out to help Zion, Rebuilding the wrecked towns of Judah. Guess who will live 

	there-- The proud owners of the land? 

Psa 69:36  No, the children of his servants will get it, The lovers of his name will live in it. (The 

	Message)



	I was impressed this morning with the consistency in the Psalmist here to run to God 

in this time of trouble and loneliness. Even though there seemed to be no one to stand with 

him, there was a singleness of heart and relationship that caused him to run to the source of 

his answer instead of away. There was no way he would be dissuaded from pursuing this 

God that he loved more than anything else. The times of difficulty are the times of intimacy 

potential. When there is nothing else to occupy the passions and nothing left to present a 

diversion there is either going to be a draw to God or a push away. This is determined by our 

choice alone. It seems like this is something that our experience in Him will dictate. If He 

has become in reality what we sing about in worship, if He really is the love of our life, then 

there will be no problem in making the choice to turn to Him in prayer and praise when it 

seems like everything rises against you. It's so much better to swallow pride and 

discouragement and be renewed and changed in the presence of the King than to choose the 

further solitude of seclusion and separation. Let my heart song always return to the source 

of my joy and peace, my solitude always contain His glory. 



3/20/04