That One Thing!

That One Thing!

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

Psalms 27:4 KJV

The Context:

Again, we read David's words, the man after God's heart. The exact story behind the words here are not disclosed, but the lifestyle of David made it clear that seeking God was not a one-off or an accidental pursuit; it was the essence of his life. God was not an occasional wonder or an alternative pursuit; he was all that mattered to him everytime.

The Message:

Do I have an overarching desire, one that fills my heart so much that I cannot ignore? Is my heart filled with so many concerns, like Martha, that I do not know what is that one important thing that trumps all other things? Is my  heart able to process multiple priorities at the same time, or do I have one priority, over and above all else that is equally important? My pursuit and priority reflect what I consider to be important. If that which holds my heart has no eternal value, I am of all men most miserable. It means that I am labouring for that which has no reward.

Jesus speaks to the same priority at the Sermon on the Mount, where he enjoins us to seek first the kingdom of God, and His Righteousness. My heart is not built to focus on more than one thing at a time. Forget the manipulations of mere motivational speakers who try and push you into biting off more than you can chew. It is good to be multi-talented, but in the things of God, only one thing is expedient, and that is whatever God says is important. I may have several assignments at the same time, but the cord that binds them all together must be a thirst for all that is God. Would I claim to be busy for God, yet God has no record that I am actually working for Him? Is it just men who know I am 'working' for God, with heaven having no record of my service and labour?

It also matters what I do when I draw near. We seem to have mastered the art of deception when it comes to the things of man, and we think we can do the same when it comes to the things of God. We come before his presence, but our hearts are far away. We come to him, but our eyes are beholden by other 'good' distractions. David had that one desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord, but in that desire were the following: 'behold'  the beauty of the Lord, and to 'enquire' in his temple. The AND there shows none of these things was optional but part of the complete package in the desire of David. My eyes, my lips and my heart must all align as one. One desire, several parts. One focus, related packages. Don't claim to come seeking God, but your heart is focused on things outside God. Don't just say the right words, while the heart does not mean a single word. Let your eyes be clean, without distractions or deceit. 

The Response:

What is that one thing that you have found, and which has become the most important consideration in your heart? Does your pursuit keep you alert by day and awake at night, because it has to do with God?

Like David, it is still the same God. Dispensation may change; science and technology may simplify or complicate things and man's activities may endanger or improve the environment, but one thing still remains the same: God is there for the taking. He is available to all who seek him, and will be found by all who diligently seek for him. 

Am I seeking for Him how and where he may be found? He has a house, in heaven, but he also seeks a place in my heart. He is God over all the earth, yet he wants to dwell in a mortal man's heart. I learn from the life of David that education, enlightenment, exposure, energy, expertise or enemies cannot replace the need for God in a man's heart. If God is not in it, it will not end well. If God is not the focus and pursuit of a man's heart, how does that heart earn all that God offers? Get the pursuit right; get eternity right. His time of favour is here.