Psalm 27:4-5 “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 (meditate) 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” (Himself).
Life’s desire and prayer is “One Thing” to live in passionate, worship filled relationship with the Lord
*If I could only have ONE thing, this is what I want:
1. To dwell in the House of the Lord all the days of my life = To live my life in His presence
2. To gaze upon His Beauty = to be captivated by the wonder and mystery of who He is in all His perfection; His holy character; His Beauty
3. Inquire / Meditate in His Temple = to live in full dialog; deep meaningful interaction; communion
BOTTOM LINE:
*My relationship with Jesus is the all-consuming passion of my life! I long to live my life in HIS presence, captivated by His beauty and in full on-going dialog with Him. *To me this is the only life worth living; all I want.
“That will I seek after”
Jesus said, “your spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak so watch and pray
James 2 “faith without works is dead”/ Isaiah – God hates when His people follow with their lips or even sacrifices, but their hearts are far from Him…..
Desire without Discipline = Self-deception Discipline without Desire = Self-deception
BOTTOMLINE:
*Talk is cheap…. What’s real is done, not just felt or said…. Don’t be deceived, real desire leads to acts of seeking and doing….
Desire + Discipline = Delight (Psalm 1 & 37)
The effects and benefits of living in a passionate, worship filled relationship with the Lord
He will hide me in His shelter in the day of trouble
God would hide him in His own dwelling; near to Himself; He would be cared for in times of trouble just as family living in the family home would be cared for.
Those living in the secret place of the Most High shall abide in the tabernacle of the Almighty – In the most private part of His dwelling. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. Psalm 91:1-2
He will conceal me under the cover of His tent
Conceals — Protects from enemies and temptation….
The cover of His tent –provides resources of protection
Protection from temptation –He who lives nearest to God suffers the least from temptation. James 4:7-8 Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you
Ps 91:4 He will cover you with his feathers; He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection…. He is utterly faithful to His Word and to His people
He will lift me high upon a Rock [Himself; HE IS my Rock]
Solid and secure in the face of change, danger or uncertainty… Oh Lord, through every generation YOU have been our home” Ps 90:1 HE IS My Home…. HE Is my only ROCK….
Discuss:
- What are the rivals/threats to this kind of Desire/passion?
*striving in the power of the flesh; selfish ambition; comfort; children’s needs; earthly vision; self-absorption; sins/temptations; physical health; world’s expectations
- What are the challenges to Discipline/seeking?
*being content with desire alone; assuming desire is enough; laziness; distractions; the tyranny of the urgent; needs of loved ones; people-pleasing
- What are the benefits of passionate seeking (Desire+ Discipline)?
- (1) hidden in the secret place of the Most High
- (2) protected out of reach of enemies;
- (3)secure in the face of change or uncertainty
Sacred Wanderings 