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Sermon #5236

O God; Thou Art My God

A Sermon on Psalm 63:1-3

Originally preached Sept. 26, 1965

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Scripture

Psalms 63:1-3 ESV KJV
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 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. So I have looked upon you …

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Sermon Description

Adversity is the quickest way to reveal the value of one’s faith. What are Christians like when they find themselves in the wilderness of suffering? In this sermon on Psalms 63:1–3 titled “O God, Thou Are My God,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones examines David’s prayer as he turns to God in the midst of trouble. Dr. Lloyd-Jones demonstrates a core Biblical truth: adversity always drives the true believer to God. In times of suffering, the non-Christian is annoyed and curses God. In contrast, the believer has just the opposite response. He turns to God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that this is because the true believer has discovered God’s lovingkindness to be better than life. Like a love-sick person, the believer is satisfied with nothing this world can give and is utterly miserable without God’s love. But with God, they can face anything. Nothing compares in value to God’s lovingkindness. Listen and find complete satisfaction in this intimate knowledge of God. The psalmist’s response to adversity should also be that of the Christian with lips that should praise Him. Rejoice in God. He will never let His child go.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. Times of trouble test our profession of faith. They show whether we are truly Christian or not.
  2. Adversity drives the true believer to God. False professors turn away from God in times of trouble.
  3. The true believer feels they have a right to turn to God. They know Him personally.
  4. The true believer thirsts for God above all else. Their desire for God is their greatest desire.
  5. God's lovingkindness is better than life itself for the true believer. Nothing else compares.
  6. The true believer knows this world is passing away. Life is transient.
  7. The true believer knows this world can never satisfy completely. There is always a longing for more.
  8. The true believer finds complete satisfaction in knowing God. He satisfies the mind, heart and conscience.
  9. The true believer knows God can overcome all enemies and trials. Nothing is impossible for God.
  10. Even if death comes, the true believer will be with God. To die is gain.
  11. The true believer is filled with thanksgiving, praise and joy in God.
  12. The true believer has a quiet confidence in God. They know His protection and provision.

Sermon Q&A

What Does It Mean When Scripture Says "Thy Loving Kindness Is Better Than Life"?

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones explored the profound meaning behind Psalm 63, particularly the phrase "thy loving kindness is better than life" in this sermon. Let's examine what this means for believers.

What is the main message of Psalm 63 according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, Psalm 63 teaches believers how to handle themselves during times of trouble, difficulty, and trial. The psalm was likely written by David during the rebellion of his son Absalom, when David was forced to flee Jerusalem and found himself in a wilderness. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this psalm shows us "how David dealt with himself in those circumstances" and thereby teaches us "how we should deal with ourselves also when we find ourselves in a like state and position."

How do times of trouble test our Christian faith?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that "times of trouble, trial and difficulty above everything else, test our profession of the Christian faith." He notes that the true test of genuine faith is not how we respond when everything is going well, but rather how we react when facing adversity:

"If you really want to know whether you're a Christian or not, the simplest way, the most direct way always is to discover what you're like when you're in trouble, when things go against you. That's the time when you really discover the value of what you believe."

How does a true believer respond to adversity according to Psalm 63?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies several characteristics of how true believers respond to adversity:

  1. "Adversity always drives the true believer to God" - While false professors turn away from God in trouble, the genuine believer instinctively turns toward God.

  2. The believer approaches God with certainty of relationship - "O God, thou art my God" shows the consciousness of personal relationship.

  3. The believer has a profound longing for God - "My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee" reveals the deepest desire of the heart.

  4. The believer values God's loving-kindness above life itself - "Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."

Why is God's loving-kindness better than life according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the believer values God's loving-kindness above life itself for several reasons:

  1. The believer recognizes this world is transient - "Here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come."

  2. The believer has discovered that worldly pleasures cannot truly satisfy - "I have never found complete satisfaction in this world as such."

  3. The believer has found complete satisfaction in God - "My soul shall be satisfied...with marrow and fatness."

  4. The believer knows God's love is unchangeable - "God the unchangeable" versus "change and decay in all around I see."

  5. The relationship with God transcends even death - "Even should death come to him and the enemies be triumphant, it makes no difference to him. He will still be with God."

What are the practical results of valuing God's loving-kindness above life?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies two primary results:

  1. A spirit of thanksgiving, praise and joy - "My lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live. I will lift up my hands in thy name. My mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips."

  2. A quiet confidence in God - "Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. Thy right hand upholdeth me."

This is the ultimate test of genuine Christian faith - not merely believing in God intellectually, but experiencing a relationship where His loving-kindness becomes more precious than life itself.

Old Testament

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.