1. One Thing Have I Desired Psalm 27:4

2. Psalm 27 in Context Attributed to David who was pursued by his enemies (1 Sam. 21-23) David is shut off from the tabernacle and his family David is hated, slandered and threatened David turns to the Lord with fearless trust

3. “One thing…” The secret to spiritual success is singleness of purpose, focus (Lk. 10:42; Phil. 3:13-14) The Devil seeks division, distraction, and double-mindedness (1 K. 18:21; Mt. 12:25)

4. “have I desired of the Lord…” In dire circumstances, David desired to be with the Lord Those who have a strong desire to worship the Lord will truly worship the Lord (Heb. 10:25; Col. 2:23; Mk. 7:7; Acts 17:23)

5. “that will I seek after…” Holy desires must lead to zealous action (Mt. 6:33; 7:7-8; Phil. 3:13ff) A goal without action toward it is worthless. The reward comes only to those who seek (Heb. 11:6; 12:1-2)

6. “That I may dwell…” David wanted to be where God could be found, not with friends and family Like Anna and Jesus (Lk. 2:37,49) … like faithful Christians (1 Tim. 3:15)

7. “all the days of my life…” It was not a whim or a passing desire; it was a life-long commitment (Psa. 23:6; 128:5; Eccl. 12:13) We must be committed in good times and bad times, in the beginning and in the end (Heb. 3:6; 6:11)

8. “To behold the beauty…” David wanted to “see” the Lord and learn from Him, not be seen, not be entertained (Psa. 63:2) We look at the beauty of the Lord, not the beauty of the church building or something else Worship is service, not spectatorship; God is the observer, we are the actors

9. Psalm 27 For Today What is your one purpose for living; your one goal in life? What is the desire in your heart? Are you working toward it? Why do you come to worship? Why are you a Christian?