Thoughts in Worship
Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Monday, July 16, 2018
Audio Link: https://www.spreaker.com/user/reachmanyradio/thoughts-in-worship-07-16-2018
This is devotional thought number 9 in our devotional series titled, “Sing Unto the Lord a New Song: Meditations From the Book of Psalms.”
“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 inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4).
If the fairy tales were true and folklore were reality, and you could have just one wish, what would it be? Would you wish for wealth, fame, wisdom, perpetual good health? Would you wish for the perfect intimate relationship? Would you wish for many years of success for your children? If you had one wish, what would it be?
King David had one desire, which transcended folklore and fantastical stories of mythical figures granting fleeting wishes. David desired that he could be allowed to dwell in the presence of the Lord, all the days of his life, to behold His beauty. He knew that if he would continually seek God’s presence and power, that God would become the Light of is salvation. He knew that if his enemies got the not-so-bright idea to encamp against him and make war with him, unprovoked, God would hide him in the secret place of His pavillion.
If you could ask just one thing of God, which would, of 100% certainty be granted, what would it be? The blessing is that God is not the protagonist of a fairy tale. He is not a figment of your imagination. God our Father is beneficent and merciful. He stands ready, willing, and available to grant in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would not bestow did we not ask Him. If you, like king David, wish to dwell in the presence of God forever, the good news is that He already promised that. Anyone who surrenders our will to God will remain in God’s presence forever. Until Jesus returns, we can say, with David: “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? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, They stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 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 inquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: In the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:1–5).
Sing unto the Lord a new song. Celebrate the hope of God’s eternal presence until Jesus comes.—L. David Harris (www.LDavidHarris.com)