Psalm 63
Matt 16:21-27
According to Robert Alter, Hebrew Bible language describing physical sensations associated with desire with the Lord are not intended as extended metaphors. They depict reality as experienced by the psalm-singer. He searches, his throat thirsts, flesh yearns. He remembers seeing the Lord’s strength, his lips praise, palms are lifted. His being sated, his lips and mouth praise again, he contemplates and utters glad song.
Like Satan in the desert, Peter tempts Jesus to be the Mighty Warrior King Savior. Both Satan and Peter intend to derail Jesus from doing God’s will, however, Peter speaks out of impulsive love and sorrow. Satan attempts to seduce with promises of power. In the desert, Jesus tells Satan, “Begone,” while here He replies to Peter, “Begone behind me” (8). He doesn’t dismiss Peter from His presence, only reminds him of his role as follower: the intention behind a temptation is consequential.
We might imagine, as a spiritual (and writing) exercise, Jesus reflects on the temptation by Peter with the paired psalm as His prayer. The psalm-singer states, “My being clings to You.” “The verb ‘cling’ is often used to denote the proper relationship with God in the deuteronomistic literature” (4). Jesus responses to Peter by urging those present to give up their life and take up the cross. He invites us too, to cling to the cross. As the psalm-singer describes, clinging requires the participation of the whole body: we cannot do this from a distance.
Journal Questions:
- What physical sensations do I experience in prayer?
- When has someone, out of love for me, encouraged me to take the easy road, or one contrary to what I believe the Lord is asking of me? What decisions was I faced with, what was the discernment process and its consequences?
- How far away does the Lord feel to me at present? Does my being cling to God? Should I make any changes?
References: Refer to blog post entitled Resources
© 2017 Marilyn MacArthur, all rights reserved
Writing to Pray 