Don't Settle for Small Hopes (Psalm 27)

Reading: Psalm 27

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. …I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

(Psalm 27:4,13-14)

Meditation:

Life is dangerous and living a good life is risky. We often push back against these things, preferring comfort and stability. But to seek a change in our circumstances as a final solution for our insecurity is to in fact rob us of the opportunity to make God our foundation.

It is the “one thing” David asks of God. For the believer, seeing God is the ultimate reward. To behold his beauty and to be in his presence. To be welcomed and offered a place to dwell with him forever. These are the joys and comforts of the one who loves God.

But it is often the sufferings and uncertainties of this life that lead us toward that hope. When we are comfortable and at ease here, we become complacent in our longings. We give in to desires that are more base, even craven. Our sin means that our longing for God’s presence must be kindled. Nothing kindles the believer’s desire for God like hardship.

So let not your hardship go to waste, and do not clamor for the comforts of this life alone. Instead, remind yourself of your true desire—to be in the presence of the Lord. Kindle your faith and pray that it would grow. At let God be your hope. “Wait for the Lord!”

Prayer:

Father, we want to dwell in your house. Make us clean so that we might be fit to enter. Thank you that the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all our sin. But have mercy on us, Lord, because we suffer, and we have foolishly gone after the idols of our time for comfort and solace. Teach us to hope not in the things of this world, but only in the coming of the Lord. We want to dwell with you forever. Forgive us our shortcomings and make room for us at your table.

Amen.