[511 words]
The fervor which swept across this nation seeking to win the $500,000,000 lottery is remarkable. It is amazing to see how so many Americans think that money would bring them true happiness. The reality is that past winners of lotteries just could not handle that kind of money and their lives were ruined by such a “blessing.”
As a child, we thought about finding that bottle with the genie inside who would grant us three wishes. It was rather fun to see how our friends used their wishes to bring them imaginary happiness. It was fun, but the truth is there is no magic genie.
Suppose that you could ask God to give you just one thing. What would it be? Take just a moment to think about this before you continue reading. If He promised to grant your one request, what would you ask for? What above all else would bring you the greatest joy?
David, the man after God’s own heart, prayed that God would just do one for him. His words were, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek . . .” Now if these were your words how would you finish his sentence? What one thing above all else would you ask God to give you? David desired one thing. He knew the nature of God was to answer his prayer so he asked God to give him just one thing.
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I 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 inquire in His temple” (Psa. 27:4). Nothing in this world would bring greater happiness to David than this one request.
Look at the first part of David’s wish. He longed to dwell in the house of the Lord as long as he lived. There is more to this than for David to physically be in the tabernacle (the temple had not yet been built). Above all else he wanted to be with God. What about us? Paul defines the house of the Lord as the church (1 Tim. 3:15). David’s one request is so readily available for us!
He longed to behold the beauty of the Lord. Take time to think about the beauty of our God. David lived before Emmanuel came. He never saw God in the flesh, but we see Him every time we read the New Testament. God is beautiful. We are able to see the beauty of the Lord far better than David ever did!
Finally, David longed to inquire of the Lord. David only had, at best, nine books of the Bible. We have sixty six! We can inquire and know far more than David ever did. He longed to let God instruct him. We are more blessed than David!
The true blessings in this life are spiritual. Don’t waste your life chasing foolish wishes that are so material. David’s one wish should be the one we first think of!
Dan Jenkins
Palm Beach Lakes Church of Christ
Palm Beach Lakes, GA