One Thing to Seek
September 27, 2021
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What do you desire most in life? If Aladdin’s genie were real, and you somehow obtained his lamp, what would you wish? Many of us would request wealth, health, or happiness—or perhaps all three! (After all, according to the classic tale, you get three wishes, right?) However, I just want you to narrow down your number-one desire above all other things. The truth is, your wish reveals a lot about what is inside your heart and about what you believe is the key to you finding contentment in this world.
In Psalm 27:4, David says,
“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.”
What you desire and what you seek are inextricably tied together. If you want something bad enough, you’ll seek it out. David not only desired to dwell, to behold, and to inquire of the Lord, but he also sought after these things. Today, life offers an abundance of pursuits that compete for your time and affection. But to draw close to God is truly the one thing that will satisfy the soul. What are you searching the world—turning over every rock and looking around every corner—to obtain? What is that thing you think will satisfy you and bring you true peace and joy? Let it be God! In Jeremiah 29:11–13, God declares that He knows the plans He has for you, and those plans are to prosper and protect you—and to give you hope and a future.
Psalm 27 is filled with riches and wisdom as we get a glimpse of the eternal satisfaction of David’s one thing. Within this great passage, you will find blessings beyond measure as your desires begin to shift toward the things of God. For the purpose of this article, I’m going to highlight the first part of this passage of Scripture, which encourages us to “dwell in the house of the Lord.” We dwell in God’s house by remaining close to Him. I believe there are three important principles that enable us to do just that:
1. Read the Word.
You become close to another person not just by being physically near them but also by spending time and talking with one another. You get to know the person’s character and the things that make that person unique. In the same way, you become close to God by first reading God’s Word, which is how you get to know His character, His truth, and His will for your life. Do this daily, even if it’s just a chapter a day. Your life will be so enriched by the treasure of God’s wisdom. His word is a light to your path (Ps. 119:105).
2. Pray.
Prayer is how you communicate with God. Closeness with someone means being open, honest, and vulnerable, so in your prayers, tell God your worries and cares. Pray and ask Him for wisdom and guidance. Pray and ask God for forgiveness of your sins and to help you forgive others who have sinned against you. Pray for your loved ones and even for the difficult people in your life.
3. Connect.
The next step is to become involved in the local church in order to deepen your relationship with the Lord. The church is often called the “house of the Lord” or “God’s house.” Why? Because it is where the family of believers gathers together to worship God. Church is where we study the Bible and where we fellowship with one another. Hebrews 10:25 instructs us not to neglect this important habit. Even if your church is closed due to a pandemic, the brilliance of technology is that you can still stay connected with the body of believers through your phone and the Internet. Whenever he was imprisoned—and it was quite often—Paul stayed connected to the church by writing letters. There is really no excuse not to draw close to God through the local church.
I hope that you are inspired by Psalm 27:4 to deepen your relationship with the Lord and to truly make closeness with Him the one thing you desire above all else. He never disappoints! God is good, light, and love, and He is so worthy of our awe and our devotion.
Adapted from Pastor Dudley Rutherford’s upcoming book, One Thing: Rediscover a Simple Faith in Our Complicated World, available for pre-order now on Amazon and wherever books are sold. Pastor Dudley Rutherford is the senior pastor of Shepherd Church, which has three campuses in the Greater Los Angeles area. You can watch services online or connect with Dudley at www.LiftUpJesus.com and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
