Some people lust for power while others long to be wealthy or famous. There are folks who want to travel the world and find themselves in some of the most exquisite vacation spots on the planet. So many (especially Americans) pursue the dream of being financially independent so they don’t have to worry about a thing. The majority of people pursue anything and everything except Jesus. In fact, most avoid Jesus like Covid-19.
What are you personally hoping to get out of this life? On what do you have your eyes fixed? Are you like Kind David? He craved more than anything to be close to the Lord. All he wanted from this life was to be in God’s temple forever. Everything he sought after was to be found in God’s presence (Psalm 27:4). David lived 1,000 years before Jesus. I wonder what he would have been like had he walked with Jesus in the first century? Ponder what he would be like today if he was a Christian in the 21st century in America? We would likely be a little intimidated by the intensity of his spiritual hunger for the Lord.
It is a trustworthy statement that whatever is most important to you is where you will be. If money is most important you will work like the devil (maybe literally). If your career is number one you’ll work your fingers to the bone trying to get ahead. But what if Jesus is the single most important pursuit of a person’s life? What would that life look like? How would they spend their time? I’m confident they’d be the best employee or employer around. They’d be generous to bless others in need. They’d make a conscientious effort to live in a way that brings glory to God. And, they would discipline themselves to spend time reading their bible, praying, attending church services, etc. They would be like David, craving to be close to the Lord.
Read Psalm 84:1-12 and listen to With You by Jamie Grace. Then crave and enjoy your day close to Jesus.
Psalm 84
How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord Almighty!
My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.
Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
Look on our shield, O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.