Suggested Bible Reading: Psalm 7, 27, 31, 34, 52
Devotional Thought:
Title: “One Thing is Needful.”
David had many times of trouble and distress and the language of Psalm 27 could well have been his on numerous occasions. Perhaps it is best to leave the particular doubt about when certain psalms were written, and to see in this Psalm the character and confidence of a man who constantly waited upon Jehovah and who sang praises even when there were problems. David could speak of joy and of courage, even when enemies encompassed him and false witnesses accused him. This Psalm reveals the secret of his spiritual strength; “Wait, I say, on the Lord!” I love how this wonderful psalm starts, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid.” With such a stronghold and fortress in God, David was safe from his many enemies. This had been his experience in the past, that when his foes came upon him they stumbled and fell. They were wicked and beastly men, these enemies, seeking to devour him eventually fell into the very snare they had laid for David. In the lovely verse 4, David turns from the bitter thoughts of enemies, foes, and war. He had one coercing, compelling, and chief desire in his life, a sincere longing for the presence of the Lord. “One thing is needful,” the Savior gently told Martha (Lk. 10:42). Her sister Mary had found it, sitting at His feet, listening to His voice, in the enjoyment of His presence. David desired the same, and it was no vain idle wish; he would positively and actively seek after that which he desired. The house of the Lord had become a synonym for the presence of the Lord, and this was David’s longing, that, all the days of his life, he might enjoy that divine presence, ever beholding the beauty of the Lord. The secret to David’s motivation and security is found in the last verse, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Part of our problem in our society is that we are always in a big rush, and we need to learn to be patient and wait upon the Lord. The heart is the seat and center of a man’s emotions, feelings and affections. Wonderful it is when the heart of a Christian is trusting in the Lord, responsive to the voice of the Lord, and patiently waiting on the Lord. Whether David is addressing others here, or appealing to his own heart, it does not really matter to the validity of the text. Both are relevant, and every believer should appreciate the exhortation of the trusting shepherd boy.
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to never get in a rush to get my way or to do my will. May I always patiently wait upon you to direct my words, actions, and passions.
- Lord, thank you for promising to be there for me in every trial. Please help me to rest secure in your presence and to bask in the reality of your love.
- Lord, please help me to teach others to wait upon the Lord.