Psalm 27:4


One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple ~ Psalm 27:4

David comes to his Lord with this one desire: to seek after and to dwell in the house of the Lord all his days, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire at His temple. The psalmist mentions this desire of his heart more than once —“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever” (Ps. 23:6); “LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth” (Ps. 26:8)—and he frequently refers to it in following psalms. This great desire of his was to have constant access to the house of the Lord, an opportunity to continually participate in the public worship of God. This was and is neglected by many, and is boring to others, but the psalmist preferred it to everything else. He envied the sparrows and swallows that built their nests on the altars within it; he believed a day in it would be better than a thousand elsewhere; and to have the privilege of attending worship there for as long as he lived, and at every opportunity. It is here, in the secret place of His tabernacle that David would find himself hidden. He would not merely be admitted into His residence, but to the private chambers, the place to where He the Lord withdrew to be alone, and where no stranger, not even one of the family would venture to intrude. Nothing could more display friendship; nothing could more assure protection, than to be taken into the private retreat where the master of the family was accustomed to withdrawing, in order to be alone. I cannot think of a more a beautiful description of the protection which God will give to His friends.
Devotion by Pastor Julia

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