Monday, September 14, 2026
One thing I have 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. (Psalm 27:4)
What do you want for Christmas? Is it too early to think about that? Maybe you have a bucket list of things you hope to do or places you want to visit. The psalmist has a very short list. There is just one thing that he wants. He longs to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. There in the presence of God the psalmist hopes to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and inquire in the temple, that is, he wants to ask questions and learn and grow in godly wisdom.
The psalmist is not the only person in Scripture to have such a short list, a longing for just one thing. Moses wanted to see God’s glory as proof of the Lord’s presence and favor, and was allowed a brief glimpse of God’s passing glory (see Exodus 33:13-23). Solomon might have asked for many gifts from God, but he prayed for only one thing, the wisdom to rule God’s people well (see 1 Kings 3:9). Jesus’ disciples left everything to follow the Savior and found in Him all that they needed: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life?” (John 6:68b). Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, setting all else aside to listen to one necessary thing, the words of her Savior (see Luke 10:42). The disciple Philip said he would be satisfied with one thing, to see the Father. Jesus replied, “Whoever has seen Me has seen the Father … Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me?” (John 14:9b, 10a). Thomas wanted one thing—proof of His Lord’s resurrection—and he received the evidence he needed (see John 20:27).
All of these saints sought just one thing, to be in the presence of the Lord, to learn from Him, to hear His Word and gaze with the clear sight of faith on His beauty. We have not yet seen our crucified and risen Savior, as Thomas and so many others saw Him, but one day we will. Until then, we continue to seek just one thing, to live daily in the presence of the Lord, to inquire about His Word, to listen and learn. We hear Jesus’ voice in His Word and as we worship in His presence, we receive the gift of His body and blood in Holy Communion. In the words of the psalm, we pray that throughout our lives we might walk with our Lord and worship Him until we finally enter His eternal presence and gaze with our own eyes on the beauty of our living Savior.
WE PRAY: Lord, I want to study Your holy Word and worship in Your presence now and forever. Amen.
This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler.
Reflection Questions: