One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; 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 enquire in his temple. Psalm 27:4
This is one of my favorite scriptures, because it sums up how I feel about my salvation, and keeps me in perspective about my ultimate desire of Heaven, however, there is this other 'one thing that I have desired of the Lord" and it has proved to be a training ground for my patience, humility, meekness, faithfulness, and self encouragement.
Today my post will not center around my children, but I would like to share with you a revelation that I had while reading a story on another blog from a blogger who also battled with a "One Thing Desire". As I read her story, it was as if God was reading the words to me, chills ran up my neck and I cried heavily on the inside. Not tears of sorrow, but tears of joy and confirmation. Have you ever had a situation before you where you know what God told you, you know you have to have faith and wait, but the enemy battles you with anxiety and over thinking; and then when you least expect it you read or hear something that jolts you and rejuvenates your peace about the situation? Well that is the type of moment that I had a while back.
"This one thing that I desire from the Lord" is not a bad desire, (well its really not a desire anymore is it?) he told me I could have it, but he didn't tell me when, but like an impatient child I keep wanting to ask " Lord, are we there yet?" "Is it time yet?" not realizing that I was treading the line of idolizing my desire.
The thought of putting my desire of this one thing before God and letting it consume the majority of my thoughts and prayers shook me to my core. I asked the Lord, "what must I do, I know you promised me, but how can I stop thinking about your promise?" " Put it on the alter" he replied "burn it up!!!" Hebrews 12:29For our God is a consuming fire. Exodus 12:10And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.
So I did. I put my "one thing that I desire of the Lord", on the alter and let it burn up. I cried, I prayed, I fasted, I cried some more. I didn't understand why I had to let my "One Thing" desire burn.After all didn't he tell me I could have this one thing? He didn't tell me when, but he told me it was mine, but still I just let it go. I sacrificed it to him, burned it on his alter and sat back and watched it burn to nothing but ash... But my God is so faithful, after my one thing was burned to ashes, God so gently whispered in my ear.... I give them beauty for ashes! Isaiah 61:3To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Now you are talking about some one who was snotting and sniffling, I was so happy in my soul that I could do nothing but praise, him. The more I praised, the more he sent scriptures to me. Ecclesiastes 3:11He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.
Isaiah 64:4For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
1 Corinthians 2:9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
I know I love God, I know I am waiting on him, and he is promising me that he will make all things beautiful in his time. What better thing to have, than the "one thing I desire, to be burn to ashes, and made beautiful in his own time. It can't get any better than that. So what is your one thing? What ever it is, if it is consuming your thoughts and prayers, try putting it on the alter, and trading beauty for your ashes... Stay blessed and encouraged to fight the good fight of faith. Praises be to God and have a wonderful weekend.
PS: I will let you know when I receive my beautiful "one thing that I desire of the Lord", I feel it won't be long"
