“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: 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 inquire in His temple.”
The verse for today is from the Psalm written by King David, who was quite infamous for facing rejection. His father forgot him(1 Samuel 16:11) and his brothers sidelined him(1 Samuel 17:28). King Saul sought to kill him throughout his reign(1 Samuel 23:14). His people rejected him for his son, Absalom(2 Samuel 15:13). If not for Jehovah Rohi(The Lord, my Shepherd), King David would have become depressed and paranoid. It was only in the Lord that David experienced complete acceptance and love. By seeking the Lord, he was able to achieve his God-given potential.
Even when David was king, he preferred to stay in the house of the Lord(rightfully so) than to relax in his luxurious palace. In comparison to his exquisite palace, the house of the Lord was only a tent but it enclosed the ark of God. David valued the house of the Lord more than any other place because that was where the presence of God was evident. Joshua echoed similar priorities(Exodus 33:11). To have a heart after God’s own heart, like David, we have to dwell in the presence of the Lord.
According to the New Testament, we do not have to seek after God’s physical presence. We are the living temples of God(1 Corinthians 6:19) and the Holy Spirit is our comforter, counselor and friend. We should learn to recognize His presence and behold His beauty, to align our lives according to His will. Today, let’s make it a priority to spend time alone with Him, away from the noises of the world.