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Article Archive |
2008
One Thing I Ask of the Lord
by Jim Morris
What has the Lord done for you this week? How has He shown His love to you? How have you shown your love to Him? Oddly enough, many people do not know how to answer these questions.
King David felt no shame in telling of his own love for God. David, of course, was “a man after God's own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). In Psalm 27 we can get a glimpse of the depth of David's faith, hope and love in the Holy One of Israel. We can learn how to worship the Lord properly with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. It all begins by what we seek. Are we seeking to please ourselves with our skills and intellect or are we seeking the face of God to please Him?
Notice how Psalm 27 is split into two main parts. Verses 1-6 are praises of faith and hope spoken to the other worshipers about God. Verses 7-12 are prayer requests offered directly to God for His love. Verses 13-14 echo the confidence in the goodness of God.
First, David began by singing a PRAISE OF FAITH (27:1-3). David tells his fellow worshipers that the LORD is his light, salvation, and stronghold (27:1). David's confidence rested in what the Lord had done for him in the past. Think about it. The Lord had taken a young shepherd boy and molded him into the ruler of His people. The Lord was with him. The Lord promised David that one of his offspring would establish the throne and kingdom forever. David believed that the Lord would accomplish all that He said. That promise was fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
Second, David continued with a PRAISE OF HOPE (27:4-6). David's hope was simple. He said, “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: 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 seek him in his temple” (27:4). David's hope was not in the things of this world: power, politics or possessions. His hope was in the Lord Himself!
Third, after singing praises of faith and hope, David gave a PRAYER FOR LOVE (27:7-12). David pleaded with God to demonstrate His love to him: (1) Let me stay in your presence (27:9), (2) receive me (27:10), (3) teach me (27:11), and (4) protect me (27:12). David's worship was open, sincere and powerful.
The key for us is to “seek His face,” too. It all starts with giving God the glory for what He does for us every day. “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (27:13-14).
03-26-08
# 13
