TEXT:

‘One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek’ – Psalm 27:4

THOUGHT:

Jenny’s mother was staying with us recently celebrating her 93^rd birthday. She has a goal to outlive her mother who died aged 95 years and 3 months. Having this goal enables her to still keep driving in order to care for her son and maintain her household. There is every expectation that she will reach her goal, especially as she nearly died of a heart attack shortly before her 90^th birthday, but has made a remarkable recovery.

Goals drive us on and help to maintain the direction we should be going in especially when the way forward becomes difficult. As the saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”

The Bible records 4 challenging occasions concerning “One thing”

• One thing you lack – ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross and follow Me’ – Mark 10:21

Jesus’ response to the rich young ruler was surprising since it was apparent that wealth meant he did not lack anything of this world’s goods. It’s not what you have got in life, but what has got you and for this young man it was money. Jesus was not putting him down for Mark’s gospel records, ‘Jesus, looking at him, loved him.’ He simply wanted to change his bank from earth to heaven, his confidence from self to a Saviour, and his righteousness from one that was earned to that which was given.

Christians in the church at Laodecia had everything, but did not know their true state spiritually. ‘Because you say, I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked’ – Revelation 3:17.

We entered this life with nothing and cannot take anything with us when we leave. So it becomes even more important that our faith is in Jesus Christ and that something is deposited in heaven to await our arrival there. See Matthew 6:19-21.

• One thing is needed – ‘Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her’ – Luke 10:41-42

Jesus’ arrival had thrown Martha into a spin as she busied herself preparing for her guests. Waiting for the meal, Jesus started teaching and Mary stopped helping and sat listening. Martha got so cross about this, she told Jesus to tell Mary to give her a hand. But Jesus commended Mary instead.

Sometimes we have to stop doing and sit in God’s presence, listening. Church on a Sunday is a golden opportunity to do just that, but once a week is not enough. Our goal should be to daily spend time with the Lord with an open heart praying and an open Bible, listening. Life is busy but we will cope with it better when we give time to the Lord.

• One thing I have desired – ‘That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life’ – Psalm 27:4

It’s not until we cannot get to church because of illness or work that we start to appreciate the importance and blessing of fellowship.

David, on the run from King Saul, missed “Church” so much. He was not cut off from his God, for many of the Psalms came out of his experiences as a fugitive. To be in God’s house became a burning desire and when he eventually became king, he set about moving God’s tabernacle to Jerusalem, then giving so much that Solomon could build the temple.

Desire is a powerful force and channelled correctly can help us achieve great things. The question is, “What are you doing in and for the house of God?”

• One thing I do – ‘I do not count myself to have arrived; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal’ – Philippians 3:13-14

The Apostle Paul was a powerhouse for the gospel, driven by his love for and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Here he records the secret for his spiritual successes.

• He did not think he knew it all (some people, you cannot tell them anything)
• He did not dwell on the past (He could not change it whatever regrets he had)
• He always had a goal in mind
• He thought more about heaven than he did about earth

He encouraged others to have the same attitude. Some however, are so heavenly-minded they are of no earthly use. Not Paul! His decision and determination meant he kept going right to the end of his life. Many start off well but then get side-tracked. They allow the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches and the desire for other things to stop them pleasing God and doing His will.

Christianity is not complicated. Most know what they need to do. The problem is doing it! Whichever “One thing” has challenged you today, do not ignore it, but determine to do the right thing in response. Let “One thing” become “Something” that pleases God.