MAY 22 | PSALM 27

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DAILY READING

Psalm 27

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REFLECTION

A Blessing Right In Your Own Home 

by Judy Webb

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. (v.4)

This is one of my go-to Psalms when I need an encouraging word. Each verse speaks in a new way, just depending on what is happening in life at the moment. Verse 4 has always drawn me in, and I have found myself wondering what was going on in David’s life when he penned these words.

I always ask God to lead me as I prepare to write these devotions, and this time he took me somewhere totally unexpected. The story in 2 Samuel 6:9-11 opened before me, and I realized this could have been the very thing that prompted David to compose verse 4. You will find the narrative of how Uzzah was struck dead by God because he reached out to stop the Ark of the Covenant from tipping over. In doing so, Uzzah touched it. Some reading the tale may feel God acted unjustly, but this was an irreverent act regardless how well-meaning.

But the exciting part comes next. David was afraid to keep traveling with the Ark and he was afraid of the LORD. So, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The Ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household. Can you imagine having the Presence of God resting in your living room? Just think how special you would feel, how honored and blessed! But then what happens when it is time to move the ark to its permanent place of honor. Does the blessing leave too? I read one story about Obed-Edom packing up his family and following the Ark. I can’t find any biblical support for this, but it seems plausible.

Wouldn’t you do the same, follow God wherever he leads? Having had this special encounter and having experienced God up close and personal like this, would not you too want to keep this special tie to God in place? But, we do have an opportunity like this every time we read and study Scripture. Every time God uses His word to speak into our lives and bless us with understanding and clarity we can keep this blessing going. We can continue to “gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and seek Him in His temple.”

PRAYER

Dear Lord,

Help us to recognize your blessings each time we study your word, each time we feel an understanding and then a desire to seek out more blessings. Your word is Alive and Active, and we can count on this for ever. Come Holy Spirit and fill us with this belief. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

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