Through our pastor’s sermon yesterday morning, God challenged me to consider what the One Thing is that I desire most for 2021. That is, if fill-in-the-blank would happen, it would make 2021 the best year possible.
Then he said, if your answer is anything except the Creator, that’s your god. In verse 4 of this Psalm, David declares–in the midst of terrors, trials, uncertainties, and hardships–that the One Thing he desires is to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord. He exhorted us to consider that setting aside all created things for the beholding the beauty of the Creator will fill us with a greater understanding of being held in the stronghold that is Jesus Christ than we could ever find in pursuit of any earthly gain.
When challenged yesterday, I was saddened to realize that I had something else in mind as an answer to the question. However, God never leaves us in our sinfulness, so with the Psalmist, I make this my prayer, and like the Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”:
Psalm 27
The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation; Of David.
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall.
3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
4 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.
5 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.
6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!
8 You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”
9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.
11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
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