Find Protection in God's House

Scripture:
One thing I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
Psalm 27:4

Observation: This psalm begins in a way common to the psalms of David - declaring trust in God for protection from enemies. David is always confident that enemies will be defeated and he leans into God's protection often. However, in verse 4 David calls out his method for truly pursuing that protection.

David has only one purpose in life, one true request from the Lord ... to live with the Lord. He only wishes to be in God's presence every day, to gaze on his beauty and wonder, and seek him in his temple. While he desires protection and love, he knows those will simply be byproducts of relationship.

Application: So often in the last year I have prayed for protection, and I think the trials have brought me into closer relationship with the Lord. This is truly what I want to continue to improve and pursue - my relationship with God. I want to be in communication, communion, and cooperation with the Lord during my daily work. I want my work to align to his will, both in the realm of my "job" and in the efforts of my service. I want to gaze on his beauty all around me, and know that this world is his temple where I can experience him every day. I wish to dwell with the Lord all the days of my life.

Prayer: Lord, this one thing I ask, that I may dwell in your house. May I pursue a relationship with you more and more every day. Please be near to me as I strive to make you central not just in my heart, but in may thoughts, deeds, and life. Thank you for your love and protection, and please continue to extend that to my family. Amen.