“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
Presence or Presents
One of my favorite things and challenges I have ever read was by Tommy Tenney in the book “God Chasers.” Pastor Tenney asked the question, “Do we value the heart of God more than the hand of God, or are we only just interested in seeking His hand?”
I would phrase this question or challenge this way: “If God never did another thing for us, if God never gave us any more stuff or added any other blessings to us, would He still be our God? Would we still serve Him?”
Today it seems we hear more about receiving the blessings of God more than we hear about the Holiness of God. Let me suggest something to you: Until we strive to walk down the highway of holiness, we have no access to the blessings of the Father.
The psalmist writer basically said it like this: “I would rather have the presence of God far above the presents of God.” The statement “one thing that I ask of the Lord” is the key. It shows David’s heart or position before the Lord. That word “ask” in Hebrew is the word “shaal,” which means to inquire, to beg. Do you see David’s heart here? He is asking, inquiring, desiring, literally begging, to be in the presence of the Lord.
I just don’t want the gifts, I want the Gift-Giver!
Are you seeking His presence today? Are you seeking Him today? Are you more interested in His heart or do you just want His hand?
Pray today that His presence will be with you wherever you may be, wherever you may go. The Father wants to spend time with you today. The Father wants to meet you in every nook and cranny of your life. The Father loves to spend time with His children.
— Gary Underwood
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