Better Than Life

Introduction

Memory is in many ways both a curse and a blessing. It is powerful enough to generate emotions. You remember something bad and it generates negative emotions. You remember something good and it generates emotions consistent with the memory. Memory of worship and experiences that drew us close to God are also powerful and serve to remind us of Father’s faithfulness.

I have such vivid memories of worship where I experienced the presence of God—memories from my teenage years, to memories surrounding campfires, to memories with this family. But I have one memory that is so special. My mother’s family has consistently met together for a Christmas celebration the first Saturday in December for years. We try to be there each year. On this particular Saturday, my maternal grandfather was ill and bedridden. My grandmother had stopped attending. She wanted to be with my grandfather. I think part of that was about her love for him. She didn’t want to go and have a good time while he was bedridden and unable to attend. But on this particular night, her children persuaded her to come to the gathering for a few minutes. We were all there. The laughter and sound of talking filled the room. And then my grandmother walked in. She didn’t sit down. She stood and the room got very quiet. She talked about her love for each one of us and how much she loved it when we all got together and then she prayed over us. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Then she left. It was the last time she was with us. Here was the matriarch of our family reminding us that it was our common faith which brought joy and wholeness to our family. Memory is powerful.

You have powerful memories of worship and experiences where God is at the center of life. Those memories generate an emotional response in us that can carry us through challenges and hard times. The psalmist speaks to that reality in our text today—tough times seen through the lens of God’s unfailing presence. That is worthy of praise.

Experiences & Praise

Ever been so thirsty that all you could think about was getting a glass of water? I remember basketball practices in hot, unairconditioned gyms. Stifling heat. Running through drills and being so thirsty. And finally hearing the coach blow his whistle and yell “water.” There were no water bottles; it was a water fountain. Guys would push and shove trying to get more. I remember sitting down at the dinner table during the heat of summer. Come in from mowing lawns and the first thing was to drink a glass of water as fast as I could—so thirsty.

Look at verse 1. Longing for God as a person in the desert without water. I have those experiences of longing for water. When have we longed for God in a similar way? Usually when we are pressured or lost or abandoned. And while this psalm is focused on praise, it is praise born out of distress and pressure. Look at verse 2. This is his memory. He has seen God in the assembly. He has seen God’s power and glory. He is in distress but the presence of pressure does not keep him from remembering God’s goodness. Nor does it mean that God never allows pressure. Look at verse 3. God’s love is better than life. How is that? No matter what happens, resting in God’s love is all that matters.

Our lives are challenging. Things happen that knock us off balance, but God’s love is still present. There are times when singing certain songs that I can feel swept up into the love of God and imagine being cradled in the arms of God. There are times when the words carry me into the presence of God and I know his love and am confident of his love. And there are days even in the middle of the pressure that I still sing his praises and through tears find ways to express my thanks for God never leaves. He is faithful. According to verse 5, our emotions are filled up with God. Like the best meal you could imagine, your inner being is satisfied even in the pressure and distress with God’s praise.

Verse 6. The pressure means there isn’t a good night’s sleep but even without sleep, the psalmist knows that he is covered by the wings of God. There is a peace that comes on the nights of sleeplessness. The peace that comes because our emotions cling to the presence of God. The pressure keeps us awake, but our hearts are trusting in God. People of faith feel the pressure even as they feel the presence and protection of God. We think knowing the presence of God ought to deliver us from the pressure. That isn’t true. But find songs that will speak to you and sing those songs in times of pressure. That is what the psalmist says he does in verse 7. A sleepless night brings a song of praise because we are under the shadow of God’s presence.

What’s Your Song?

Music does not resonate with everyone. Not everyone enjoys singing or connects with music in the same way. So this may not be possible for some of you. I suspect, however, that hearing certain songs brings back memories both pleasant and unpleasant. Many of us have songs that were played or sung at a funeral of a loved one and we hear those songs and still feel the pang of loss. Some of us may have heard songs during our dating days and relate those songs to a person. Some couples have “their song.” Songs can be reminders of hard times and good times.

Songs of faith can do the same. There are songs that come and go. There are songs that resonate at various times. What song do you sing when you are under pressure and distress? Paul and Silas sang during the night when they were imprisoned. Through the pain and sleeplessness they sang. What do you sing during a sleepless night? What do you remember from the assembly that inspired you? This psalm like so many remind us that even under pressure and distress, God is present. Even when the enemy lies about us and to us, God is faithful. His love is better than life. Let praise come even as there is anxiety and loss. We pour out our heart about the distress and then we speak words thanking God for his faithful presence. We toss and turn on our beds and then call to mind that God’s wings of protection are over us. Let us dedicate our lives to praise—“I will praise you as long as I live.” Can we say that? As long as there is breath; as long as the pressures come; as long as I am able to think—I will praise you as long as I live.

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