Scripture for Today:  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, to seek Him in His temple.”

As a child I was always drawn to stories of fairies or genies who could grant wishes.  Disney stories and television actress Barbara Eden fired the imagination of what I would ask for given that opportunity.  I knew that in addition to untold riches there would somehow be chocolate involved!  But it would annoy me no end if I had to limit myself to just three requests!

In no way is the God of the Bible a genie who grants wishes.  Unfortunately, there are those who have that erroneous idea and are quickly disappointed.  In His grace, God does give good gifts to His children through which He can be glorified.  In fact, for the believer, everything good in one’s life comes from Him (James 1:17).  But His gifts are unmerited and beyond any attempt to manipulate.

If I could ask only one thing of the Lord, what would it be?  In our verse for today, David (thought to be the author) asks for just one thing.  Most important to him was to stay in God’s presence.  It was his one burning desire to gaze on the beauty of the Lord each day of his life.

I cannot help but think that God was pleased with David’s request.   David asked something that God wanted too; close personal relationship.  Seeking His presence above all else puts all my other needs and wants in perspective.  This is a prayer I want to echo and I know He will answer, “Yes.”

( a re-post from October 18, 2013)