The “One Thing” series has been all about priorities. What is most important to you? Our final key verse for this series is Psalm 27:4, “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.” The most important thing to David was worship. He accomplished much in his life as a successful warrior, builder, and king, but one thing consumed him. He was a man after God’s own heart. That is my prayer for each of you. The one thing that will bring you the most happiness, contentment, and satisfaction in life is to know God. Why should we ask like David for this one thing, to be in the house of the Lord? Why do we gather together? God’s house is a place of:
Salvation
David begins this Psalm saying, “The Lord is my light and my salvation” (v. 1). Throughout this Psalm we read personal pronouns like “I” and “me.” Salvation is personal. Your salvation is about your own life and experience. Being born into a Christian home, being a good person, being an American, etc., does not make you a Christian. Salvation is found in no other name but Jesus (Acts 4:12). David was a man’s man. He killed Goliath. He was a warrior, a born leader, courageous, compassionate, and a worshipper. He was not at church because someone else made him go!
Protection
God’s House is not only a place of salvation, but of protection. “For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling…” (v. 5). We have a spiritual enemy. The Bible says, “We wrestle not against flesh and blood.” We have ONE enemy, the devil. He is called the accuser and the very name Satan means adversary. He is a tempter, murderer, and liar. 1 Peter 5:8 says that he walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. He is a thief who will rob you of your joy and God’s best. While we cannot escape the evil we are fighting, praise God that Satan and demons are limited by God’s control and power! We fight from the victory not for the victory.
Celebration
In verse 6, David says he will sing, shout, and make music to the Lord in His sacred tent. Praising the Lord is one of the things I’ve missed most about worshipping together these past several months. Worship is part of warfare (Ps. 8:2, 18:3). God protects His people in two ways. He can protect us from the attack, or He can give us victory in the attack. Whatever the attack on our health, safety, reputation, marriage, homes, businesses, income, church, etc., God can give us victory as we praise and as we pray.
Intercession
God’s House is a house of prayer. In verses 7-8 David talks about calling to the Lord and seeking His face. More than seeking God’s hand, we seek His face. More than seeking God’s help, blessing, and “stuff,” we seek His smile and His approval. Start your day and end your day with prayer. Pray all through the day. Pray without ceasing. Attack your problems with prayer instead of attacking the people around you. We come to God’s house to pray and study God’s word and get direction. His word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Ps. 119:105).
Direction
David closes this Psalm saying, “Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors… Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (v. 11, 14). God will show us the way forward. Satan wants to mislead you. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Jesus is the way, truth, and the life. He wants to give you life more abundant. God will give us strength for the journey. Don’t run ahead of God. He can do more in a moment than you can do in a lifetime.
July 5 will be our first Sunday back together as a family for campus parties. It will not be church like normal, but it will be a chance to gather in the Lord’s house as one body. Prayerfully, August 2 will be our first “normal” day back. Make plans now to attend both. There is nothing like the salvation, protection, celebration, intercession, and direction God gives in His house.