May 24, 2023 -- Psalm 27:4 -- The Psalm Series: The Big Ask

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

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 in his temple.
Psalm 27:4 ESV

This is a big ask. Think about it. The Psalm writer is appealing to the LORD, Whom he has called “my Light” and “my Salvation”. To this Glorious One he is asking for heaven. Let heaven start on earth and then continue through all eternity, because heaven is to be near the Living God and heaven is delighting in Him.

He wants to live in the house of the LORD. He wants to be at the place, wherever that is, where the LORD of splendor lives. This request will prepare him for eternity. All the days of his life will be many, countless days, because those who belong to the LORD will not be left to decay, rot, in the grave (Psalm 16:10).

What does he want? He wants to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD. What a change this is for King David. He has been known to gaze lustfully at a woman (think of Bathsheba and that whole debacle). Now, instead of gazing lustfully at a woman, or longingly at power, or desirously at greater territory for his Kingdom, or greedily at ever greater wealth and acquisitions, he wants to turn his heart, his mind, his desires, his will, and all his attention to the LORD.

Beloved in our Lord Jesus Christ, King Jesus is seated in glory on the throne of heaven. His Spirit lives in us so that believers are now the dwelling place of God. We, as we join together, delight in God the Stronghold of our lives. King Jesus has disarmed the Devil at the cross and given us new life. Our hope and our joy and our longings are anchored to Him. In view of His excellencies how can we keep from thinking about Him, praising Him and in this way delighting in our Father Who sent Him and this through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our Father in heaven hallowed and forever blessed be Your Name! One thing have we asked of You, LORD, that we will seek after: that we may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days we live, to gaze on Your beauty, LORD, and to inquire of You. For You, LORD, are the Light and Salvation of Your people. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ndZsEDuCVAQ Psalm 27 Shane and Shane

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