One Thing I Seek
Daily Rays of Hope #119
Abiding in the Presence of the Lord
Today’s Scripture:
“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 (NIV)
There is a deep and sacred beauty in the presence of the Lord. It is not just a spiritual experience. It is a place of intimacy and transformation. King David, the man after God’s own heart, understood this truth well. In Psalm 27:4, he expressed his singular desire. Not for riches or honor or victory over his enemies, but to dwell in the house of the Lord. To simply be near God. To rest in His presence and to gaze upon His beauty.
For many believers, the Christian walk can become crowded with petitions. We often come to God asking for provision, protection, healing, or direction. These are valid needs, and God is faithful to answer. But David’s desire reminds us of something deeper. To want God more than what He can give. To prioritize His presence over His provision. To seek relationship over results.
Psalm 16:11 affirms the joy that comes from simply being with God. “You make known to me the path of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” The presence of the Lord is not a temporary escape. It is a wellspring of life and peace. It is where we are strengthened, healed, and made whole. When we seek the Lord with a heart that longs for Him, not only are our burdens lifted, but our perspective is renewed.
Jesus modeled this kind of intimacy with the Father. In Mark 1:35, the Bible says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” The Son of God made time to be alone with the Father. He understood the necessity of abiding. Not just as a duty, but as the source of strength for everything He did.
We are also encouraged in 1 Peter 5:7 to cast our cares on the Lord because He cares for us. This is the blessing of being in His presence. We can release the weight of worry, fear, and exhaustion. God invites us to rest in Him. To stop striving and to start receiving. When we abide in the Lord, we are reminded that we are not alone and that we are fully known and deeply loved.
Too often, we treat the presence of God as a place to visit only when we are in crisis. But David longed to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. He wanted it to be his home, his dwelling place, his daily refuge. John 15:4 records the words of Jesus, “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the vine.” To remain means to stay, to live, to abide. This kind of consistency builds intimacy and opens the door to the fullness of joy and spiritual maturity.
The invitation to dwell in God’s presence is open to all who believe. It is not reserved for the elite or the perfect. It is available for the hungry heart. For the one who seeks more than answers and solutions. For the one who seeks Him. And when you do, you will find that everything else begins to fall into place.
Psalm 84:10 says, “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere.” One moment in the presence of God can change your outlook, renew your hope, and refresh your soul. He is not just the source of strength. He is the very strength itself. And His presence is your sanctuary.
Three Practical Ways to Seek the Will of God Daily and Walk Out This Scripture:
Set Aside Quiet Time for Worship and Prayer.
Each day, carve out a sacred time where your only goal is to be with God. Do not come with a list. Just come with a heart to love and listen. Sing, journal, or simply sit in silence and allow His peace to wash over you.Meditate on His Word in His Presence.
Choose a short passage of scripture and reflect on it slowly. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you. Let the Word become alive in your spirit as you rest in God’s presence and seek to understand His heart.Create a Sacred Space.
Designate a physical space in your home for meeting with God. It could be a chair, a room, or a corner. Fill it with reminders of God’s goodness like scripture cards, a journal, or worship music. Let this space be a daily reminder to dwell with Him.
To dwell in the presence of the Lord is to experience heaven on earth. It is where your soul finds rest, your mind finds clarity, and your heart finds healing. May you make His presence your pursuit. May you gaze upon His beauty and find joy all the days of your life.