H.H. Pope Shenouda III

THERE IS NONE UPON EARTH THAT I DESIRE BESIDES YOU

Written by:
H.H. Pope Shenouda III


"There is none upon the earth that I desire besides You" (Psalms 73:25)......... Whoever loves God deeply reaches the point where he or she is satisfied with God. God fills his heart, thoughts and feelings, and satisfies him; hence he says with David, "I shall not want" (Psalm 23). He feels that he cannot add anything to God in his heart; therefore, he lives happily with God and says in love, "There is none upon earth that I desire besides You." Our fathers the saints followed that example and God filled their lives with His presence.

DAVID THE PROPHET was an example. He was a king, with all the authority and greatness belonging to a kingdom. He was a leader of an army, judge of the people, head of a big family, and respected by everyone. He did not lack any of the pleasures of the world. However, he said, "One thing I ask of the Lord. One thing I have desired of the Lord that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life" (Psalm 27:4). In this Holy place, he sought God saying, "Your face Lord I will seek. Do not hide Your Holy place from me" (Psalm 27:8-9).

Was this David's only request? What about the kingdom, the army, the court, the family, his riches? No, Lord, "There is no upon earth that I desire besides You." "O God, you are my God, early will I seek You. My soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You" (Psalm 63:1). "My soul follows close behind You" (Psalm 63:8). "I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness. Your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you" (Psalm 63:3). When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches" (Psalm 63:6).

This is the love which fills the heart. David said, "Oh, how I love Your Law! It is my meditation all the day." What about your cares, David?

All my cares do not keep me busy. "Seven times I praise You, because of Your righteous judgement" (Psalm 119:164). "At midnight, I will rise to give thanks to You" (Psalm 119:62). "My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I meditate on Your word" (Psalm 119:48). "How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth" (Psalm 119:103).

Truly whoever loves God, considers everything else as a trivel in his eyes. David was not tempted by his palace or throne, but he said, "How amiable are Your tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts, my soul longs, yea even faints for the courts of the Lord: (Psalm 84:1). "I was glad when they said to me, 'let us go into the house of the Lord' " (Psalm 122:1). "I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God" (Psalm 84:10). Why? "For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand" (Psalm 84:10). "I have desired none of the earth besides You." David's expression is a true expression of the fervent heart and of a steadfast relationship with the Lord.

May David the prophet and king's blessings be upon us all, amen.