Psalm 27:4 - Part 2: Dwell

Psalm 27:4
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that I will 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.

'Dwell' can be defined as "to live as a resident; reside; make one's home or live in". In biblical times, people commonly dwelt in tents, and later in houses of which walls were frequently made of mud or sun-dried bricks. When they dwell in a particular land (Nation), it is usually for a long period of time, and often, for many generations --> An idea we can associate with citizenship today.

From the bible, we can see that

• God dwells in unapproachable light (1Tim 6:16)
• God dwells in heaven (Psa 123:1, 1Kin 8:27)
• God dwells in His church ( Exo 29:46, Num 35:34, Zech 8:3, Mat 23:21, Exo 25:8, 1Joh 4:12)
• Christ dwells in hearts of man (Eph 3:17)
• Holy Spirit dwells in believers (Rom 8:9, 1Cor 3:16, 2Tim 1:14, Jam 4:5, Joh 14:17)
• Jesus dwells in the Father (Joh 14:10)
• Heavenly Father dwells in His Son, Jesus (Joh 14:10)

David's greatest desire (the 'one thing' he desired) was to dwell in the house of the Lord forever, where the presence of God is, where God Himself dwells. He had a longing for the presence of God; not just His blessings or a touch from Him, but for God Himself in His true nature and His true self - the all of God.

When one dwells in a new place (say, in the case of immigrating or moving to a new country/state to inhabit there for at least a few years), there is a high likelihood he actually conforms to its culture. There may be changes (be it subtle or obvious) in his ways of living, his thoughts, habits, food selection, fashion sense, etc.

Likewise, dwelling in the house of God, surrounded by His presence, actually makes us more like God as we begin to know Him more. We will begin to understand the ways and thoughts of God that are beyond the man’s attainment (Isa 55:9). We will be intoxicated with the love of God and the knowledge of beauty of Him. We will begin to have profound insights into His personality.

However, all of these begin with a hungry heart.

The house of God has an implication to me that it is a haven, a place of hiding and refuge. It is where peace and safety transcends. As much as the house of God is a place where David could hide from his enemies or unload his heavy burdens, I believe that he did not seek the presence of God only in times of trouble or need. His prayer was that he would seek to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life.

Psalm 84:2
My soul longs, yes, even faints, for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Sometimes, I wonder what is so incredible about the house of God that David was hoping to spend his life there? There was no shopping mall, no parties, no TV, no other music except that of ongoing worship, no blogging on the internet! Obviously there was something extraordinary that he had found.

There is something about the beauty of God that drove him to pursue yet more and more of it – it satisfies his soul, yet there is more to be contended with than what he had already tasted.

Jesus chose to dwell in mere humans like you and I. We too, can likewise choose to be in Him. I challenge you to set your heart to be in Him all the days of your life this very moment.

John 15:9
{Jesus speaking) "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love."