Mark of Deep Spiritual Experience
Summary of a Lesson by Tim Keller
Many are intrigued by spiritual experiences. There are numerous books and websites on this subject. They could be on different forms of awakening, Zen, meditation, or other methods. Why do these experiences fascinate us?
For Christians, the center of spiritual experience is God. But we cannot find God. Only God can reach out to us. Yet we seek Him because He has put such an urge in us. This desire is a blessing. To a certain extent, this desire is evidence of His presence.
What are some marks of deep spiritual experience? David was a man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Let’s learn from him.
David wrote Psalm 63 when he was in a desert, in a dry and parched land where there was no water (v1).
In Psalm 63, David addresses God as “my God,” not just God. This is one of emotional intimacy.
In a dry, barren land of intense heat, David earnestly thirsted for God. His whole being longed for God (v1). Typically, we focus on our physical needs first, but David’s hunger for God totally transcended his physical needs.
After physical needs, our concern usually shifts to security. Not David. He was hiding in the desert, running away from his enemies. But David didn’t ask God to protect him from his enemies. David’s hunger for God transcended his wish for survival. Why?
David considered God’s love better than life. God would fully satisfy him, like the best food. God alone was his help, protecting and upholding him (v3, 5, 7-8).
Thus, even in such dismal conditions, David was not concerned about his own needs. He was not thinking about food, water, or his enemies. Instead, he was even thinking of God in bed through the night. David was sure his enemies would be destroyed, eaten up by jackals. His lips glorified God, praising Him with songs as he rejoiced in Him(v3, 5-7, 9-11).
These are signs of deep spiritual experience.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/discipline-of-desire-5867/
For Christians, the center of spiritual experience is God. But we cannot find God. Only God can reach out to us. Yet we seek Him because He has put such an urge in us. This desire is a blessing. To a certain extent, this desire is evidence of His presence.
What are some marks of deep spiritual experience? David was a man after God’s heart (1 Samuel 13:14). Let’s learn from him.
David wrote Psalm 63 when he was in a desert, in a dry and parched land where there was no water (v1).
In Psalm 63, David addresses God as “my God,” not just God. This is one of emotional intimacy.
In a dry, barren land of intense heat, David earnestly thirsted for God. His whole being longed for God (v1). Typically, we focus on our physical needs first, but David’s hunger for God totally transcended his physical needs.
After physical needs, our concern usually shifts to security. Not David. He was hiding in the desert, running away from his enemies. But David didn’t ask God to protect him from his enemies. David’s hunger for God transcended his wish for survival. Why?
David considered God’s love better than life. God would fully satisfy him, like the best food. God alone was his help, protecting and upholding him (v3, 5, 7-8).
Thus, even in such dismal conditions, David was not concerned about his own needs. He was not thinking about food, water, or his enemies. Instead, he was even thinking of God in bed through the night. David was sure his enemies would be destroyed, eaten up by jackals. His lips glorified God, praising Him with songs as he rejoiced in Him(v3, 5-7, 9-11).
These are signs of deep spiritual experience.
Summarized from a Tim Keller sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/discipline-of-desire-5867/