One Thing I Seek Series

Psalm 91 - Study 23 - One thing I seek

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.” (KJV)

Psalm 91, as we have understood from our studies, is one that elaborates the protection and security that is available to those who put their trust in the Lord. The one thing that is topmost on everyone’s mind these days is that this pandemic should not come near any of our homes, so that we and our dear ones can remain safe. We comprehend from these verses that it is not enough for God to be our refuge alone, but He must be our habitation as well. It is only when this becomes a reality in our lives, can we be guaranteed that no plague will come near our dwelling.

David earnestly sought after God

David who wrote Psalm 91 surely understood all that it took to make God one’s dwelling place.

These are the words of David in 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.” (NIV)

There are two words which I wish to highlight in the above mentioned verse, ‘ask’ and ‘seek.’ While the word ‘ask’ is mentioned once, the word ‘seek’ is repeated twice. We generally ask God for answers to various requests when we go to Him in prayer. However, to seek God, implies that we put our faith into action. Often there seems to be a discrepancy between our prayers and our practices. No wonder then that there is a break-down as the ones who pray don’t practice and many who practice don’t pray.

David was very sure that he would not only ask God, but would also be one who would fervently sought after God and this he made his paramount priority.

Wise Men sought after Jesus

We read in Matthew 2:1-2, “Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, Wise-men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and are come to worship him.” (ASV)

Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea. In those days there was an exceptional star that appeared and there were wise men who took note of this. These learned men realized that this was a spectacular star that signified the birth of a king. When they saw the star in the east and understood the connotation of that star, the news would have been sensational, and must have certainly created much excitement and curiosity among many. However, it was only a few wise men who actually ventured out and traveled really far in search of this king who was born into the world. In order to see this king and worship Him, these men had to leave their towns and their families behind. Travel in those days was an arduous task which was often filled with dangers and hardships. These men were willing to take on these challenges, as they were resolute to find this king and pay obeisance to Him.

Never in the history of the world have we heard of a star appearing to commemorate the birth of a king. Jesus was the King of Kings born into this world. His birth was so significant and unique that the wise men decided to find Him so they could worship Him.

Even today the Lord is performing many signs and wonders, there are many who desire to know God, but are unwilling to truly seek after Him. To seek after means to give up all the comforts, to overlook the circumstances that are unfavorable, with the sole purpose to find and attain that which we are searching for. This is the kind of seeking that is pleasing to the Lord. The question is what have we left behind in order to seek after Jesus?

David was willing to give up everything to seek after that ‘one thing’ which was really important to him. The wise men had to give up a lot in order to go and seek after Jesus, the new born king.

Let’s see what Paul gave up in order to find Christ. We read in Philippians 3:8, “Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ” (CEV). At one point in his life, Paul was so proud about his upbringing, his prominence in society and all the traditions that he adhered to blamelessly. Nonetheless, when Paul met Jesus, he considered everything that he held dear rubbish, when compared to the surpassing knowledge of knowing Christ.