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 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.
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 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 if he lived today. 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 are Your dwelling places,
Lord of armies!
My soul longed and even yearned for the courtyards of the Lord;
My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God.
The bird also has found a house,
And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may put her young:
Your altars, Lord of armies,
My King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in Your house!
They are ever praising You. Selah
Blessed is the person whose strength is in You,
In whose heart are the roads to Zion!
Passing through the Valley of Baca they make it a spring;
The early rain also covers it with blessings.
They go from strength to strength,
Every one of them appears before God in Zion.
Lord God of armies, hear my prayer;
Listen, God of Jacob! Selah
See our shield, God,
And look at the face of Your anointed.
For a day in Your courtyards is better than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God
Than live in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
The Lord gives grace and glory;
He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.
Lord of armies,
Blessed is the person who trusts in You!