Psalm 27:4 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.
My expectations effect my reactions to situations. It is my expectation not my circumstances that effect my attitudes.
“If God is not enough, then nothing ever will be.”
I don’t know when this Psalm was written by David, but he was either going through or was remembering difficult trials. He speaks of being pursued by people that wanted to hurt him. He intimates that he was separated from worshipping God in the tabernacle. He was not able to be with family or was even possibly estranged from family. Whether as a current situation or a time of remembering, David has his focus on the Lord. This Psalm describes his personal testimony of how he kept a right testimony when going through difficult times.
Your circumstances will never be perfect. You will always go through difficult times. David presents two key factors for handling life: God is bigger and God is enough. David presents why you should wait on the Lord and be of good courage, how you can wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and when you should wait on the Lord and be of good courage.
God can be protector (v. 1-3) Whether one or a host of enemies, David would not fear because God was bigger than one or many.
God’s glory and presence should be life purpose (v. 4-5) The Psalmist next states that he has one overall purpose in life: To see the Lord and to seek Him (to be with the Lord, to enjoy the Lord and to know what He wants) (v. 4). You have God’s Word and the Work of the Holy Spirit in your life. You can spend time with God each day and all day. One additional thought that bears consideration: As a believer you are looking forward to the time when you will be with Him in heaven and enjoying him forever. This is the “One Thing” of the believer. It is easy to focus on the now rather than the future. The Lord is beautiful to behold, yet for David it took a choice to stop and notice.
God should be the pavillion (v. 5) The Psalmist says that he knows there will be times of trouble that come. He expected that, but that during those times God would keep him safe. David is looking for the “one thing” yet, in the troubles that come, God will be sufficient. God hides and shields. That is enough.
God should be the focus of praise (v. 6) God is good! The Psalmist says that he will praise God purposefully. He remembers what God has done and who God is and therefore he praises. Praise is the natural out flow of remembering. (v.6.)
God is the one to whom we should go to in prayer (v. 7-10) The Psalmist says that he only has one prayer to survive all he is going through – My Lord. He needs to hear the Lord and experience His mercy. He does not need to hear or see anyone else for security and happiness (v. 7-9). He commits to obeying whenever he is spoken to. Even more secure and trustworthy than those with whom he has grown up, David says that he can trust the Lord.
God’s plan should be what we desire(v. 11-13). David has only one plea, that he would know and do God’s plan for him that day. He had to plainly know God’s will because others were trying to trip him up, trying to hurt him. He was being threatened and accused and it would have been too much had it not been for the character of God. He could trust God to be true and faithful to His Word and to his character.
God should be the focus of our proclamation (v. 14) When it came to advice for others who were going through the same difficulties and when it came to knowing how to help others who were experiencing the same troubles David had this advice: Wait on the Lord! Wait for God’s timing. God will take care of you, so wait for Him.
How do you respond in times of difficulty? What do you say? It is easy to loose focus and think that you are sinking the in trials that you are experiencing. Do you turn to God for illumination and protection. Are you confident that God is in control and His will for you and you family will be accomplished? Have your desires changed or shifted from what they should be? The “one thing principle” radically effects the way you view your day.
Over in Burma, Judson was lying in a foul jail with 32 lbs. of chains on his ankles, his feet bound to a bamboo pole. A fellow prisoner with a sneer on his face said, “Dr. Judson, what about the prospect of the conversion of the heathen?” His instant reply was, “The prospects are just as bright as the promises of God.”
Being in jail did not effect Judson’s expectation. Judson Taylor’s expectation was not freedom from difficulty or hardship, but that God would be glorified through the salvation of souls and served to that end.
“Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace.” [Oswald Chambers in Run Today’s Race.]
God is available, ready and all-powerful. He never leaves or forsakes, so why am you acting the way that you are? Have you begun to desire something more than God? Have you begun to trust someone more than God?
Be not dismayed what-e’er betide – God will take care of you.
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
God will take care of you, Through every day, O’er all the way.
He will take care of you. God will take care of you! [Author: Civilla D. Martin]
Thought: If God is not enough, then nothing ever will be.