What a provocative expression. In (Psalm 27) David makes just such a statement when he says: “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).
Have you ever wondered if you could ask the Lord for one thing what would it be? Would it be good health, fame, money, wisdom or even peace and joy. Well here David asks for none of these. Instead, he simply says, “that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” I believe that David would wholeheartedly agree with the psalmist when we read in (Psalm 84:10): “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere…” David understood that it was in the house of the Lord that he could participate in corporate worship and, “gaze on the beauty of the Lord.”
David also knew that in the house of the Lord he was free to “seek” the Lord in an atmosphere of praise and worship and where he could devote his entire attention to meditating on the Lord. As I also shared in yesterday’s devotion, I believe, David knew in his heart what we read in the Westminster Shorter Catechism that: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.” And what better place to glorify God and to enjoy His presence than in the house of the Lord.
My friends enjoying God can be done anywhere and in any situation you may find yourself in – even in our trials. But there is something special about seeking the Lord in His temple. Corporate praise and worship with God’s people are one of the most delightful activities a soul can ever be engaged in. And what better place to seek the Lord than in His house. I urge you that the next time you are in church to get lost in the presence of the Lord and just do as David did: “gaze on the beauty of the Lord.”