One thing I ask from the Lord . . . that I may dwell in the house of the Lord. Psalm 27:4
Not long ago we moved to a new home just a short distance from our old one. Despite the close proximity, we still needed to load all of our belongings onto a moving truck because of the timing of the financial transactions. Between the sale and purchase, our furnishings stayed on the truck and our family found temporary lodging. During that time, I was surprised to discover how “at home” I felt despite the displacement from our physical home—simply because I was with those I love most: my family.
For part of his life, David lacked a physical home. He lived life on the run from King Saul. As David was God’s appointed successor to the throne, Saul perceived him as a threat and sought to kill him. David fled his home and slept wherever he found shelter. Though he had companions with him, David’s most earnest desire was to “dwell in the house of the Lord”—to enjoy permanent fellowship with Him (Psalm 27:4).
Jesus is our constant companion, our sense of “home” no matter where we are. He’s with us in our present troubles and even prepares a place for us to live with Him forever (John 14:3). Despite the uncertainty and change we might experience as citizens of this earth, we can dwell permanently in our fellowship with Him every day and everywhere.
1 The Lord is my lights and my salvationt—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strongholdu of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?v
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devoura me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.w
my heart will not fear;x
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.y
4 One thingz 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,a
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of troubleb
he will keep me safec in his dwelling;
he will hide med in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.e
6 Then my head will be exaltedf
above the enemies who surround me;g
at his sacred tent I will sacrificeh with shouts of joy;i
I will singj and make musick to the Lord.
INSIGHT
- When have you felt most at home in God’s presence?
- How can you know that Jesus is your constant companion and that He’s always with you regardless of where you are and what you’re going through?
Some of David’s expressions of courage might leave the impression that he lived with the confidence that no harm or evil could touch him. Yet many of his songs, including Psalm 27, suggest that he knew what it meant to fear and tremble in the presence of his enemies (10:1; 13:1; 22:1–2). So David’s point is not that he’s never desperately afraid. Rather, despite his fears, he acknowledges that his strength and hope are in God (27:9–14). Time after time, he senses enough danger to pray, “You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!” (v. 9 nlt). Because he knows that his enemies are still a force to be reckoned with, he reminds himself to “be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord” (v. 14).
PRAYER
Loving God, I thank You for being my permanent address. Help me to recognize You as my most faithful companion who’s with me wherever I go. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Psalm 27:1–6 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 10-12; Luke 9:37-62
