David was the only person in the Bible called a man after God’s own heart (I Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). Without the heart and zeal of David for God’s presence, there would have been no tabernacle of David. His uniquely intimate and personal relationship with the Lord set the stage for the nation of Israel to be brought into that same nearness to God’s glory and presence at his tent on Mt Zion. A glance at the Psalms illuminates the obsession with the presence of God at David’s tabernacle.
As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:1-2
How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. Psalm 84:1-2, 10
The One Thing Needed
The pursuit of God’s presence was the driving force of David’s life. He articulated this deep longing by saying that there was “one thing” that he desired.
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: 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. Psalm 27:4
Obviously David wanted more than one thing and gave his attention to more than one thing. He was also a king and military leader with many natural responsibilities. David had many things to do. Yet in his perspective there was one overarching desire in his heart that eclipsed all other dreams and desires. He longed for communion with God. David’s cry for one thing was about the prioritization of His relationship with God above everything else in his life.
David knew that if he got this one thing right, it would bring blessing and fruitfulness to everything he puts his hands to. Likewise, if he got this one thing wrong, it would ripple negatively into every other area of his life, work and ministry. He understood that all prosperity, joy and victory was an overflow from God’s presence with him. This heart posture would set the tone for all of David’s reign as king and lead to the establishment of David’s tabernacle.
The other notable time we see the exact phrase “one thing” in Scriptures is the story of Mary of Bethany in the New Testament. Here we find another extravagant worshiper!
Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.”And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, 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 10:38-42
In the midst of all that was going on, Mary sat at the feet of Jesus to hear His voice and experience His presence. Jesus commended the way she prioritized her relationship with Him over doing things for Him. I think it is likely that Jesus is using the phrase “one thing” to hint back to Psalm 27:4 and David’s extravagant expressions of worship.
The Desire of God
What was the source of David’s zeal and passion for God’s presence? It was not his personality or a special talent. It was not his brute determination and strength. David’s zeal was actually the zeal of Jesus.
This connection becomes clear when you look at Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John 17. This is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus in the Bible, and it gives us some amazing insight into the heart of God. Let’s zero in on verse 24.
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. John 17:24
Jesus’ prayer to the Father here is a fervent cry to have His people near Him in intimate relationship. You can feel the deep love of Jesus for us. He desires to bring us into that eternal flame of love that flows between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit within the Godhead. Jesus was yearning to have His people close to Him to experience the fullness of His passionate love.
David tapped into this desire of Jesus and reciprocated that desire to God. The parallels between John 17:24 and Psalm 27:4 are uncanny.
David prayed “One thing I have desired of the Lord,” and Jesus prayed “Father I desire.”
David prayed “That I may dwell in the house of the Lord,” and Jesus prayed “that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am.”
David prayed “To behold the beauty of the Lord,” and Jesus prayed “that they may behold My glory which You have given Me.”
David’s cry for the Lord is actually His agreement and alignment with Jesus’ cry for us! We love God because He first loved us (I John 4:19). Our desire is based on His desire. Our love is based on His love. When we recognize His pursuit of us, we will gladly enter into an intimate relationship with Him. This is the one thing that is needed.