There is an obscure Hebrew word, used only once in the Bible. "Ashacharecha."  It may look like an awkward word to you, but for a Hebrew speaker, it flows beautifully and rings with poetry.  I love this word used by David in Psalm 63.  Five syllables translated into ten words:   "At the break of dawn I will seek after You."

Imagine with me the setting for these words.  David is in the Judean Desert. That is where he and his rag-tag crew had fled, eastward toward the Dead Sea where hiding places in the rocks could be found, and therefore where he, David, could not.

If David can look up from his rocky, dusty bed, gazing at the stars while facing another day of dodging assassins, and exclaim, "God!  You are MY God!  At the break of dawn will I seek after You.  My soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for You, in a dry and thirsty, waterless land..." then I can say these words from my sofa, with a cup of hot coffee in my right hand.

I'm always surprised that even though David cries out to God, at times complaining about his circumstances, never does he challenge God's wisdom, goodness or power.  Not once does he accuse God of doing wrong.  He never says, "Hey, You had me anointed as king - is THIS what you had in mind?!"  "This isn't fair." or "I deserve better than this."

As the stars fade and daylight ascends, David continues, "I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and Your glory.  Because Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.  I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your name I will lift up my hands.  My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise You!"

David is still in bed. He keeps praying, "On my bed I remember You, I think of You through the watches of the night.  Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.  My soul clings to You, Your right hand upholds me."

I have read in several places, "David strengthened himself in the Lord."  Now I see how.

You and I can do the same.  God lovingly pulled me out of my lazy shallow ways, and taught me to act out this word, "ashacharecha."  Whether my challenges in life are great or small, rooted in feelings or reality, my toe-hold each day is in the simple act of seeking MY God early!  I gaze on His power and glory (by reading His Word), sitting quietly and prayerfully in His presence, leaning on His help, and clinging to Him.  His right hand upholds me.

I'm on a journey; I still seek Him.  Over the years living in Jerusalem, God has used many little object lessons to make Himself and His Word real to me.  In these devotionals, I want to share them with you.  My prayer is that you, too, will drink with me from the fresh water He gives.  Don't read a a portion from this and then go on about your day.  This is only to whet your appetite for more!  Light a candle, if it will help you to be aware of His presence.  Dig into the Scriptures with your ears open to the Spirit of God.  Meditate on what you have read.  Leave yourself time to let it sink in.  Be still and silent before Him.  Then as you pray, you may want to do as I do -- journal your prayers.

As I write, I pray that you will be strengthened and refreshed in the Lord... like David was!

By Ann Hilsden