One thing have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire [seek Him]in His temple.
What's the one thing? published week of january 31, 2021
Have you ever thought about asking God what He desires and wants most from you? What do you think He would say? Would He ask you to give more, serve more, or share your faith more? Would He ask that you become more involved in church activities, join a church family or attend more regularly? Do you think, at the end of the day, that God wants you to do more for Him?
It is a sobering question to consider and probably one that many Christians attempt to answer incorrectly. In our humanness, we often think that God is most pleased by what we do and so we determine to do more and work harder. Our human instinct is to want to work to earn God’s favor. After all, in our work world and school world this sort of a system seems to make sense to us. However, there is a problem, it is impossible. The Good News is that salvation is by grace, through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8).
Did you know there are a few instances recorded in the Bible when Jesus told His followers what “one thing” He most desired? I think of the story of the rich young ruler in the Gospels (Mark 10:17-27). One day the rich young ruler came to Jesus to inquire about eternal life, Jesus lovingly told him that he lacked one thing. Jesus told him “. . . go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” Was Jesus telling him to work for salvation? No, but He was telling him to abandon everything for His sake. There could be nothing of more value in the young ruler’s life than Jesus. Scripture tells us the man went away sad because he was wealthy. He was unwilling to give up all he had to follow Jesus.
The other story takes place at the home of two sisters, Mary and Martha. One day, Jesus came to their home to dine, Martha was busy in the kitchen working to serve her Lord. She became frustrated with her sister, who was “just sitting” with Jesus, not doing any work. Martha asks Jesus to make Mary help her, and what does Jesus say, “. . . Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:42).” I’m sure this was not the answer Martha expected.
How many of us are busy in the kitchen, yet missing the one thing that is needed? So, what is the one thing that Jesus meant? While Jesus never came right out and said, He did give us glaring evidence of what God most desires. Even all the way back in the Old Testament, there was one thing God desired most. The first commandment God gave to His people, Israel, was, “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. ” (Exodus 20:2-3). The bottom line was and always has been, “Love Me more than you love anything else.”
When asked by the Pharisees which was the greatest commandment of all, Jesus knew their intentions in trying to trick Him and so He answered, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.” (Luke 10:27). So, my question is this: What one thing are you seeking? If it’s not Jesus, you are missing out on the great purpose for which you have been created.
“Heavenly Father, I only ask for one thing today, and that is a deeper longing for Jesus Christ. Please show me how to seek Him above all else. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
