Authentic Worship

Sunday, August 9, 2026

Psalm 27:1-4

Introduction

1. One Thing Desired

"One thing have I desired of the Lord."

"desired" means to ask or inquire speaks of not a passive wish, but an active, focused petition and request made directly to God.

David with all that he possessed, he understood that the greatest treasure in life was the presence of God. That is a lesson we desperately need today.

The human soul was created to know God.

"Our hearts are restless until they find their rest in You." St. Augustine

Luke 10:40-42, He said, "One thing is necessary." Mary had chosen to sit at the feet of Jesus, while Martha was distracted by many responsibilities.

1. One Thing Pursued

"That will I seek after." - In other words, David's desire led to action.

Throughout Scripture, we find individuals who made God their supreme pursuit.

Paul said in Philippians 3:13, "This one thing I do."

The blind man in John 9 declared, "One thing I know."

The rich young ruler was told Matthew 19, "One thing thou lackest." (KJV)

"You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jer. 29:13

III. One Thing Experienced

"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 in His temple."

1. David desired God's presence.

He wanted to dwell in the house of the Lord.

Dwell - To sit down, remain, or settle in a place as an inhabitant rather than a temporary visitor.

1. David desired God's beauty.

He wanted "to gaze the beauty of the Lord."

‘gaze’ - implies much more than a quick, casual glance. It means intently contemplating, seeing with deep attention, or gazing with delight and pleasure.

1. David desired God's wisdom.

He wanted "to inquire in His temple."

‘inquire’ - describes an intimate, thoughtful contemplation of God and a desire to understand His heart and mind within His sanctuary, rather than a routine or casual request

What is David after in this Psalm? “The answer to our question, the object of David’s pursuit, is the incomparable, transcendent, all-satisfying, sublime beauty of God.” Sam Storms

1. Jesus is Our One Thing

The True Light: David calls the Lord his "light." Jesus explicitly uses this exact imagery in John 8:12, declaring, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.”

The Author of Salvation: The word for "salvation" in the Old Testament shares the same root as the name Jesus (Yeshua), meaning "the Lord saves." Jesus is seen as the ultimate rescue from sin and death.

The Ultimate Stronghold: Jesus serves as the spiritual refuge and fortress against fear, spiritual warfare, and condemnation.

The One Thing: Jesus is the physical embodiment of God’s glory and grace—the ultimate "beauty" of God incarnate. (John 1:14)

The Living Temple: Jesus referred to His own body as the temple (John 2:19-21). Through Christ, believers no longer look to a physical building to seek God, but instead dwell in the eternal, spiritual presence of God found directly in Jesus.

Conclusion

David's words challenge every one of us today. What is the "one thing" that defines your life? When the storms of life arise, only one thing will truly matter. When our earthly journey comes to an end, only one thing will truly matter.

Jesus is our One Thing