If I were to ask you what your greatest desire, your greatest want, in life is: how would you answer? Some would answer with the desire for more wealth, others for better possessions, greater health, and many other things. Needless to say, one could make a list pages long of the different desires of man; but what should be our greatest desire?

David stated concerning his life that he had one desire above everything else. He writes, “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. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD” (Psa. 27:4-6).

David’s desire is to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. It is recognized that he is speaking of the physical tabernacle and place of sacrifice of his day. It must also be understood that, being of the children of Judah, David was not physically allowed to offer sacrifices himself, nor was he allowed to enter the presence of God in his sanctuary (translated “temple” in verse 4). Therefore, this is a desire that would never be completely fulfilled in David’s life.

Nevertheless, David’s greatest desire was to be closer to God. He wanted to be in a position to have his relationship with the Lord continue to grow with each passing day, and to continue to have the confidence and security of the Lord’s presence and protection in his life. Because of this desire, his life is filled with sacrifices of joy and songs of praise in adoration of the God he so greatly desires to serve.

In our day, under the New Covenant, do we really understand the blessings we have? David longed to be able to stand before God constantly and personally with sacrifice and service. As Christians, we are the New Testament priests of God (1 Pet. 2:5); therefore, we can come anytime and anywhere into the presence of God with our sacrifices of praises and offerings of service (Heb. 13:15-16). We have the ability to do something of which David could only dream. Do we appreciate it?

What is your greatest desire? Is it for physical possessions, achievement of monetary goals, or to live as many more decades as possible? Or is your desire like that of David: the desire to constantly become closer in your relationship with God; to be more like him, to better surround yourself with things pertaining to his service, and to do better in bringing your sacrifices of praise before his presence?

Give thanks to God for the time in which you live, the opportunities you have before you, and the examples given to aid you on your journey. Let our greatest desire ever be toward our Almighty God, and let it always be seen in our hearts and our lives.