Day #195 - One Thing
The Presence - A Devotional for living in Thanksgiving, Worship and Wonder
“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.”
Psalms 27:4 NIV
If you had one thing you could ask God for, what would it be?
That is a hard question for me to answer. Thinks about it. I mean, it can only be one thing.
David tells us in Psalm 27 what his one thing is all about. His one thing is to only seek that He might dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life and gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. This is presence language. In fact, maybe of all the Psalms this is the greatest cry for “the Presence.”
David longs to be with God and gaze upon His beauty. David loved God. David was a man of “the Presence.” David knew how to dwell and simply be with God.
The Psalms are worshipful and presence soaked, but Psalm 27 seems to capture more than anything the heart behind why I write this daily. I want to include the full Psalm in today’s entry as the prayer. May God make the one thing that David asked Him for, the one thing that we ask Him for.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord. Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me. Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:1-14 NIV).” In Jesus name, amen.
I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord (Psalm 27:1-14 NIV)
My life on earth will end when God calls me home after I complete what He has started. For now I am in the land of the living and my soul cries out for more to join me in living their lives to the fullest. To work hand in hand with our brothers and sisters to spread the good news of the redemptive power of Jesus in our lives. Let us all glorify His name in kingdom power!
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
My heart says of you, "seek His face." Your face Lord, I will seek.
I just want to be in His presence. In His presense there is fullness of joy, peace that passes ALL understanding , and a completeness that can be found nowhere else.