One Thing Have I DesiredPsalm 27:4

Psalm 27 in Context

• Attributed to David who was pursued by his enemies (1 Sam. 21-23)

• David is shut off from the tabernacle and his family

• David is hated, slandered and threatened

• David turns to the Lord with fearless trust

“One thing…”

• The secret to spiritual success is singleness of purpose, focus (Lk. 10:42; Phil. 3:13-14)

• The Devil seeks division, distraction, and double-mindedness (1 K. 18:21; Mt. 12:25)

“have I desired of the Lord…”• In dire circumstances, David desired to

be with the Lord

• Those who have a strong desire to worship the Lord will truly worship the Lord (Heb. 10:25; Col. 2:23; Mk. 7:7; Acts 17:23)

“that will I seek after…”

• Holy desires must lead to zealous action (Mt. 6:33; 7:7-8; Phil. 3:13ff)

• A goal without action toward it is worthless. The reward comes only to those who seek (Heb. 11:6; 12:1-2)

“That I may dwell…”

• David wanted to be where God could be found, not with friends and family

• Like Anna and Jesus (Lk. 2:37,49) … like faithful Christians (1 Tim. 3:15)

“all the days of my life…”

• It was not a whim or a passing desire; it was a life-long commitment (Psa. 23:6; 128:5; Eccl. 12:13)

• We must be committed in good times and bad times, in the beginning and in the end (Heb. 3:6; 6:11)

“To behold the beauty…”

• David wanted to “see” the Lord and learn from Him, not be seen, not be entertained (Psa. 63:2)

• We look at the beauty of the Lord, not the beauty of the church building or something else

• Worship is service, not spectatorship; God is the observer, we are the actors

Psalm 27 For Today

• What is your one purpose for living; your one goal in life?

• What is the desire in your heart? Are you working toward it?

• Why do you come to worship? Why are you a Christian?