“LET ME STAY!”
OUR DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
READ: Psalm 27:1–6
MEMORY VERSE
“One thing I ask from the Lord . . . that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” Psalm 27:4
BACKGROUND
As they made their way toward their car, Zander escaped his mother’s arms and made a mad dash back toward the church doors. He didn’t want to leave! His mom ran after him and tried to lovingly wrangle her son so they could depart.
When his mother finally scooped four-year-old Zander back into her embrace, he sobbed and reached longingly over her shoulder toward the church as they walked away.
Zander may merely have enjoyed playing with friends at church, but his enthusiasm is a picture of David’s desire to worship God.
Though he might have asked God to thwart his enemies for his own comfort and security, David wanted peace to prevail so that he could instead “gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).
His heart’s desire was to be with God—wherever He was—and to enjoy His presence. Israel’s greatest king and military hero intended to use peacetime to “sing and make music to the LORD” (v. 6).
We can freely worship God anywhere, for He now dwells within us through faith in the person of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 3:17).
May we yearn to spend our days in His presence and to gather corporately to worship Him with other believers. In God we find our safety and our greatest joy.
By: Kirsten Holmberg
INSIGHT
Pursued by powerful enemies, David chose to focus on God rather than his difficult circumstances.
David speaks of Him as his light as he navigates life’s challenges, guiding him safely into His presence and goodness (Psalm 27:1).
God is also his salvation, delivering him from danger and death, and his stronghold, providing a strong fortified place for his security and stability (vv. 1–6, 13; see 23:6; 43:3–4).
With these provisions from God, David confidently declares, “Whom shall I fear?” (27:1). Because being in God’s presence gives him such confidence and security, David wants to be found in His presence above all else—to “dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of [his] life” (v. 4).
In another psalm, David writes of God leading him to a place of protection and provision: “The LORD is my shepherd . . . . I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever” (23:1, 6).
By: K. T. Sim
APPLICATION
When have you experienced a passionate yearning to worship God? What keeps you from experiencing that more frequently?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” Psalms 16:11
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (My Re-Emphasis from Post)
We can freely worship God anywhere, for He now dwells within us through faith in the person of the Holy Spirit…In God we find our safety and our greatest joy.
PRAYER
“Father, You’re my delight and my joy. I long to worship You without distraction or interruption.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“I CAN ONLY IMAGINE” MercyMe
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes would see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees, will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine,
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory
What will my heart feel?…
Will I be able to speak at all?
I can only imagine,
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory…
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever, forever worship You
Forever worship You…
I can only imagine
I can only imagine…
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (THIS WEEK)
THE BOOK OF II KINGS 15-20
THE BOOK OF I CORINTHIANS CHAPTERS 9-16