If you could ask the Lord anything, what would it be? Would it be to escape an outward struggle—a tough circumstance? Or perhaps, is it an inward struggle you would want to be rid of?

David voiced his one desire to the Lord in the above verse: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. Dwelling implies a sense of belonging. He would not be walking on eggshells or feel like an intruder—He would be made suitable and welcomed. David has no merit to simply claim this, but he asks for it. His desire is not to gaze at the Lord’s house from the outside, but to be inside the house. That is because the house itself is not the object; it is about Who is in this house.

Whose house is it? The Lord’s! He reigns supreme over it. He does not let anything in that should not be there. His order—like that of Solomon’s which the Queen of Sheba marveled at—is according to His incomparable wisdom.

David does not ask to be allowed to visit, or stay a couple days; He asks to dwell there his entire life! Why? To gaze on the beauty of the Lord. He knew he would never grow tired of this. To behold His beauty is something that enthralls the soul and takes a lifetime.

He also seeks the Lord, not because He cannot be found, but because David would meditate on all His ways and His works. This brings in the temple, since the result of beholding Him can only be worship! Where He is, that is where we want to be. Outward and inward struggles grow dim when we behold His beauty. “Blessed are those who dwell in Your house; they will still be praising You” (Ps. 84:4).