August 5, 2024
Derek Smith
Lead Pastor
Psalm 27:4
I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple.
One of my favorite Disney movies growing up as a kid was Aladdin. A kind-hearted young man from the street and a power-hungry official fight for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true. Rub the lamp and out comes the Genie offering you 3 wishes that can change your life. In the end Aladdin uses his final wish to free the Genie, he and prince Jasmine get married, and they all live happily ever after. Anytime I think about that movie I can’t help but wonder, if I was granted 3 wishes that would absolutely come to pass what would I wish for? More than that, if I only had 1 wish what would it be? Would I wish for money or fame? Would I wish for hunger or poverty to cease? How about cancer or alzheimer's or some other terrible disease, would I ask for them to be eradicated? What about the horrid problem of sex trafficking around our world, would I ask for children caught up in it to be rescued?
In Psalm 27 David is facing incredible enemies and his very life is in danger. In the midst of that kind of pressure David cries out to God for ONE thing. Just ONE. It’s not for fortune or fame. It’s not for possessions or pleasure. It’s not even first about protection from or victory over his enemies. His lone request is to dwell in the presence of the Lord. Wow.
Friend, God is no Genie in a bottle. We don’t just call on His name and offer up our wishes in hopes that he will perform on our behalf. He is the holy creator and sustainer of the universe, the all powerful sovereign King of Kings. Before we need his protection or provision, we simply need His presence. As we begin this 21 day season of prayer and fasting I challenge you not to seek Him for something. Simply cry out for more of His peace and presence in your life. Just ask for the ONE THING that matters most, the tangible sense of God’s Holy Spirit in your daily experience. If we gaze upon His beauty every day and dwell in His Presence everything else will fade. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
Lead Pastor
Psalm 27:4
I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple.
One of my favorite Disney movies growing up as a kid was Aladdin. A kind-hearted young man from the street and a power-hungry official fight for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true. Rub the lamp and out comes the Genie offering you 3 wishes that can change your life. In the end Aladdin uses his final wish to free the Genie, he and prince Jasmine get married, and they all live happily ever after. Anytime I think about that movie I can’t help but wonder, if I was granted 3 wishes that would absolutely come to pass what would I wish for? More than that, if I only had 1 wish what would it be? Would I wish for money or fame? Would I wish for hunger or poverty to cease? How about cancer or alzheimer's or some other terrible disease, would I ask for them to be eradicated? What about the horrid problem of sex trafficking around our world, would I ask for children caught up in it to be rescued?
In Psalm 27 David is facing incredible enemies and his very life is in danger. In the midst of that kind of pressure David cries out to God for ONE thing. Just ONE. It’s not for fortune or fame. It’s not for possessions or pleasure. It’s not even first about protection from or victory over his enemies. His lone request is to dwell in the presence of the Lord. Wow.
Friend, God is no Genie in a bottle. We don’t just call on His name and offer up our wishes in hopes that he will perform on our behalf. He is the holy creator and sustainer of the universe, the all powerful sovereign King of Kings. Before we need his protection or provision, we simply need His presence. As we begin this 21 day season of prayer and fasting I challenge you not to seek Him for something. Simply cry out for more of His peace and presence in your life. Just ask for the ONE THING that matters most, the tangible sense of God’s Holy Spirit in your daily experience. If we gaze upon His beauty every day and dwell in His Presence everything else will fade. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.