“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.”
Context is key, right?
Why would David pen such words, where was God if David desired to be in the presence of God? In verses 2-3, we find that David is hidden from His enemies “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.” (vs. 2)
David knew the protective role God had in His life; he speaks from experience having confidence that God can and will protect him. David was not afraid of the enemies, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” God was his stronghold; he had no reason to fear the attacks of man.
Why then would David continue, if he was not afraid of his enemies? Remember, this passage was written in the Old Testament when men and women did not have the pleasure of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The only way to have communion with God was through the Holy Temple, where God resided. David was not from the tribe of Levi, so the close presence he desired wouldn’t allow him to enter the Holy Place.
Yet, David longed to be in the presence of God. He desired to be near Him. To seek ( בקשׁ) and to ask or desire( שׁאל ), David may have been not only seeking the face of God but also looking to God for guidance. David was committed to God and the way of life in which God has commanded the nation of Israel. David knew that he didn’t need to fear the shadows of death or any foe that came up against him because God was his fortress and his hiding place.
As a believer, you have that close presence of God that David so longed and hoped for because you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. Even though He is always with you, is it your desire to have that same presence and fellowship with Him? Do you desire to be near to your ever-present God? Is your confidence for the future placed in God as it was for David, or are you worried about the future and the events that are happening around you?
Where Does Your Confidence Lie?
Psalms 27:4
“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.”
Context is key, right?
Why would David pen such words, where was God if David desired to be in the presence of God? In verses 2-3, we find that David is hidden from His enemies “When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.” (vs. 2)
David knew the protective role God had in His life; he speaks from experience having confidence that God can and will protect him. David was not afraid of the enemies, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” God was his stronghold; he had no reason to fear the attacks of man.
Why then would David continue, if he was not afraid of his enemies? Remember, this passage was written in the Old Testament when men and women did not have the pleasure of the indwelling Holy Spirit. The only way to have communion with God was through the Holy Temple, where God resided. David was not from the tribe of Levi, so the close presence he desired wouldn’t allow him to enter the Holy Place.
Yet, David longed to be in the presence of God. He desired to be near Him. To seek ( בקשׁ) and to ask or desire( שׁאל ), David may have been not only seeking the face of God but also looking to God for guidance. David was committed to God and the way of life in which God has commanded the nation of Israel. David knew that he didn’t need to fear the shadows of death or any foe that came up against him because God was his fortress and his hiding place.
As a believer, you have that close presence of God that David so longed and hoped for because you have the Holy Spirit dwelling within you. Even though He is always with you, is it your desire to have that same presence and fellowship with Him? Do you desire to be near to your ever-present God? Is your confidence for the future placed in God as it was for David, or are you worried about the future and the events that are happening around you?