SIH’s Think On These Things: Psalms 27:4

Psalms 27: [A Psalm] of 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 enquire 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. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD. Hear, O LORD, [when] I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.[When thou saidst], Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face [far] from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.[I had fainted], unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. 

As we will see in our series, King David addresses many of the same issues that each and every one of us faces when we are in the midst of the most difficult, fearful situations of life.

May the Lord honor this study in His Word, by granting to us the truths of this Psalm and their practical application to our life.  

EXPOSITION:

In this part of our text, we have clearly revealed David’s great desire for an intimate relationship with His Lord.  

Psalms 27:4 “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 enquire in his temple.”    

“One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after”

The intensity of His desire for intimacy with the Lord is reflected in his outward actions.  He came before the Lord urgently requesting and actively, diligently, pursuing fellowship with Him. David understood that a close relationship with the Lord was the lifeblood of anyone facing fearful times in his life. To know that the Lord is close to us, guiding us, and protecting us is like a stream of life-sustaining water in the midst of the desert of stressful and uncertain times of life.    

“that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,”

David describes intimacy with the Lord as dwelling in His house. Keep in mind, in the Old Testament times, the Lord displayed His presence in both the tabernacle (in David’s day and prior) and in the temple (Solomon’s day until NT times).   His presence is described as Him, literally, dwelling in these two houses of worship.

Now, David tells us that he desired “to dwell in the house of the Lord” (to live where God lived). The most intimate of relationships are had when people live together in the same place.

How long did David desire to enjoy a close relationship with His Lord? “All the days of my life”.  He didn’t say “when I am facing the fearful times of life”. No, David desired a close walk with Him 24/7. Why was this?   Communion is a wonderful blessing for His people at all times… in good times and bad, in times of plenty and need, in times of joy and sorrow.

In any condition of life, it is a great blessing to be close to our Lord. It is only the desire of a carnal, or immature Christian to desire the Lord’s presence only in the bad times of life. A mature, spiritual Christian will enjoy His presence at all times.  

“to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”

David’s close walk with the Lord would allow him to “gaze at” (behold) Him in His greatness. In other words, David wanted to learn more about Him, who He was and what He does. Not only that, but David also desired to be more receptive of the Lord’s will for his life. The word for “enquire” comes from a Hebrew word for “plough”, this word is describing opening up the soil to receive seed and then bring forth fruit. David wanted to come before the Lord with an open heart, seeking to receive His Word (as seed), which would result in David’s bearing of fruit for the Lord’s glory and honor.  

 

APPLICATION:

Folks, as we continue to mature as Christian’s let us all, like King David, seek to continue in the presence of Almighty God. In doing so, we will learn more about Him, His works among men, and His desires for our life.   When this knowledge of Him is received into a softened heart, spiritual growth and bearing spiritual fruit will increase…even during the fearful times of life.

“Fear thou not; for I [am] with thee: be not dismayed; for I [am] thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” (Isaiah 41:10)  

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