“One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall 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 mediate in His temple” (Ps 27:4).
In Psalm 27, David says he longs for one thing. I wonder at his small list. How can he ask for only one? I crave so many things. I seek comfort, love, friendship, security. I want a good job. I want stability. I want peace.
As I think on the things I seek, I wonder if David limited his list to one because much of what I crave he found in God. In His presence, David discovered abundant joy (Ps 16). He had purpose because he knew God’s calling (Ps 139). He found comfort in God his refuge (Ps 61). He rested in the security of the Lord's love and sovereignty (Ps 23). In the Almighty, he had a confidant like no other (Ps 28).
Whereas it seems David came to one Fountain to drink, I often seek many reservoirs. Like the people of Israel I haul broken cisterns that can hold no water (Jer 2:13). Today I’m challenged to stop slurping from the cracked basins of work, recognition, financial security, friends and family. These, not able to satiate, instead create a thirst for Living Waters.
My soul hears the voice of God, “Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and delight yourself in abundance” (Is 55:1, 2).
With that kind of invitation how can I, along with those who thirst for more, resist? May we learn to drop empty cisterns and ask from the Lord one thing—Himself.
