Psalm 27

“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.” (Psalm 27: 4-5, NIV).

David said his one request, his one thing, was to dwell in the house of the Lord (see Psalm 7: 4). David said, “I like what I got and I want more of it. I have made my decision, and there is no turning back.”

Have you heard the term ”Starter Marriages”? These are marriages one gets into when they’re young, have no children, and no real intention of staying in it for life. Like a starter house, it’s all you can come up with for now, but you have different plans for the future.

Marriage was never intended to be on a “trial basis”. It is a lifetime commitment, and with that a total giving of one to the other. It’s called intimacy. Intimacy requires a feeling of safety and security. Without security you will not open up! David was not declaring, “This is a short-term trial run”, or “I will dwell with God as long as I feel good about it”. He was saying: “ I want to dwell all the days of my life!” “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” (John 14: 23). David was there for the long haul.

Have you noticed David keys to being intimate with God?

1. Learn (vs. 4) -David said his desire was also “to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and seek Him in His temple.” To David this was more than just a casual encounter with the Lord. He wanted to be a lifelong learner. So we pray, ”Father please open our eyes to see your beauty.”

2. Worship (vs. 6) -“I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.” Of all the Bible characters, David shows us what worship is all about: Music, Sacrifice, Dance, and Lifting your hands. All of life was an act of worship to David.

3. Pray (vs. 7) -“when I call, O LORD… Your face, LORD, I will seek.” David saw prayer as face time, a two-way conversation between himself and God. Not just listing a few requests, a few complaints, and never stopping long enough to let God talk to him.

4. Obey (vs. 11) -“ Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path” When I know what to do, I will begin the journey! Keep me on track. One of the most succinct verses on intimacy with God is John 14: 21: “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

So much better this way

Prayer:

You know before I say anything Father, You are my home! I am confident in who I am and Whose I am. I am Your son and I will never hesitate to come into Your presence. I will pursue You like David!

God of our life, there are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down; we try to father ourselves, when try to give solutions to situations only you can solve. When the road seems dreary and endless, the skies grey and threatening; when our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage. Flood the path with light, run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise; tune our hearts to brave music; give us the sense of brotherhood with saints of every age; and so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life, to Your honor and glory.

The only thing required is humility to enter into His rest. We don’t have to figure everything out in order for our Father to accept us. We will always be His son or daughter, and nothing can separate us from His love.

Exultation:

Child of God, when darkness descends, remember that God’s faithfulness to you in Christ is more real than the thoughts in your head and the feelings in your chest.

Psalm 127

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 evildoers assail me

to eat up my flesh,

my adversaries and foes,

it is they who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,

my heart shall not fear;

though war arise against me,

yet I will be confident.

One thing have I asked 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 gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter

in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will lift me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up

above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in his tent

sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;

be gracious to me and answer me!

You have said, “Seek my face.”

My heart says to you,

“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

Hide not your face from me.

Turn not your servant away in anger,

O you who have been my help.

Cast me not off; forsake me not,

O God of my salvation!

For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

but the Lord will take me in.

Teach me your way, O Lord,

and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;

for false witnesses have risen against me,

and they breathe out violence.

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!