Only One Thing Series

We read in Psalm 91:9-10, “Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.” (NKJV)

As we continue our meditations on Psalm 91, we will focus our attention on verses 9 and 10 in this study. If we were to ask someone which of the above mentioned verses they desire, it would most probably verse 10, which promises protection from every form of evil and all kinds of plagues. We might have also noticed that verse 10 is framed and hung in many a Christian home. However, there is an important word that we need to note at the beginning of verse 9 and that is the word ‘because’. Whenever we read the word ‘because’ we understand that it implies that there is an instruction given which when followed will result in certain consequences.

The reason that no evil will befall us or any plague will come near our dwelling is elaborated in verse 9. This promise can be appropriated by anyone who not only has made God their refuge in times of trouble, but have also made God their dwelling place.

Long before man decided to make God his dwelling place, God Himself desired to have His residence among men.

We read in Exodus 25:8, “And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.” (ASV)

These are the words of God to Moses, that they should build a sanctuary so God could dwell among them. Ever since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden when sin separated sinful man from a Holy God, God has yearned to restore the relationship with fallen mankind. That was the reason why God instructed Moses that a holy sanctuary be set up so that He could reside in the midst of men. For the people in the Old Testament to go into that sanctuary to behold the presence of God, there were rules and regulations that needed to be adhered to strictly.

How can ordinary man make the Most High God his dwelling place?

The Psalmist says in Psalm 27:4, “I have asked one thing from the LORD. This I will seek: to remain in the LORD's house all the days of my life in order to gaze at the LORD's beauty and to search for an answer in his temple.” (GW)

There was only one thing that was top priority to David, to continue in the Lord’s house all through his life, so he could behold the beauty of the Lord and inquire of Him in His holy temple. There were many kings who reigned over Israel, but amongst all of them David was distinguished. The reason for David’s renown was because he had a single minded devotion toward God and made that his sole ambition.

Today we are in search of so many thing and therefore spend most of our time pursuing them. However, today we are going to study the word further to analyze what is that one thing that is needed and most necessary for our lives as children of God.

The one thing that Mary chose

These are the words of Jesus to Martha in Luke 10:42, “There's only one thing you need. Mary has made the right choice, and that one thing will not be taken away from her." (GW)

There were many who rejected Jesus while He was here on earth. Nonetheless, there was the family of Lazarus and his sisters Martha and Mary, who loved Jesus, served Him and welcomed Him into their home. Just like it happens in many families among siblings, Martha and Mary were quite varied in their personalities.

We read in Luke 10:39-40, “She had a sister named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. Martha was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to come and help me!"” (GNB)

As Mary sat at the feet of Jesus listening to his teachings, Martha was busy with all other preparations. Mary was in a blessed place as she must have intently hearkened to the wonderful teachings of Jesus probably about the Kingdom of God, rule of God and the will of God. Martha on the other hand was overwhelmed with her work that she was bothered that her sister Mary did not offer any help.

Martha was so flustered with her work load that she asked Jesus to advice Mary to assist her in the work that she was doing. Martha went on further to question Jesus if He did not care that her sister was just sitting down to listen to Him, instead of being busy as she was. This was when Jesus responded to Martha with the words found in Luke 10:42, that only one thing was needed and Mary had chosen that one thing, which would not be taken away from her.