I will read the 63 rd Psalm first, as somewhat representing the state of heart into which I would we could all come tonight.
Psalms 63:1. O God, thou art my God;
Read that sentence how you will, it is unspeakably precious. If we say «O God, thou art my God,» it brings out the possession which the believer has in God. If we say «O God, thou art my God,» it shows the greatness of the possession which we thus have in having this God to be our God forever and ever. And if we say «O God, thou art my God, it leads us to think of God and not of his gifts as our chief good.
Psalms 63:1-2. Early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
Long after the old times over again for those times of heaven upon earth those special seasons when the Lord made the vail between us and heaven to be very thin indeed, and allowed us almost to see his face. «To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.» Well, then, let us go to the sanctuary again, or make the place where we are a sanctuary. Even the stony pillar may mark the site of Bethel, and every spot may be hallowed ground.
Psalms 63:3-5. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: Satisfaction, absolute satisfaction; satiety of every desire, full to the brim to the running over only because God's is our God; we want nothing beyond that to make our mouth praise with joyful lips.
Psalms 63:6-7. When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
If I cannot see thy face the shadow of thy wing shall be enough for me, for that shall shelter me from all harm and I will, yea I will rejoice. Under the wings we are near the heart of God, and he who knowest God's heart of love must needs be glad.
Psalms 63:8-10. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me. But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foes.
All our sins, and all other things or beings that are the enemies of our soul, Christ has overcome, and he will leave them upon the field.
Psalms 63:11. But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
Now a short passage in the New Testament, about Mary, the sister of Martha.
This exposition consisted of readings from Psalms 63:1.; Luke 10:38-42; and John 12:1-8.