Dwell. Gaze. inquire.
“One thing have I asked 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 gaze upon the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple.”
As we continue our conversation on the secret place, I want to address something that I have heard many people say when I talk about the secret place, prayer, reading the Bible, and other spiritual disciplines that cultivate intimacy with God. I often hear people say that they do not know where to start or that they do not have enough time.
This text is amazing because not only does it reveal the type of heart posture God is looking for, but it also reveals the simple and lifelong path that God uses to produce a heart filled with a desire for deep intimacy with him. Psalm 27:4 gives a simple road map that can help us make time and know where to start.
It starts with dwelling. To dwell is another way of saying to spend time with. The first step towards cultivating a one thing desire is to spend time with Jesus consistently. One way to practically assure that you will consistently do this is to pick a certain place and time to be with Jesus each day.
For me, my time is early in the morning and in a specific chair in my living room. For you, it could be in the morning, afternoon, or evening and in your car, bedroom, basement, bathroom, or wherever you can go to be alone with God. Find what works best and show up to that place at that time as much as possible.
The next step is gazing. Once you are in that certain place at a specific time the question becomes what now? The answer is really simple: open your Bible and ask Holy Spirit for help to see God in the Scriptures. To gaze means to look steadily and intently, especially in admiration, surprise, or thought.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul says, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” As we gaze, transformation happens. I cannot explain it, but when you open the Scriptures, ask for Holy Spirit’s help, and look at what it reveals about who God is and how He feels, thinks, and acts, it changes you. It is a guaranteed promise that when you do this, you will be transformed! In the same way, when we do this together, we will be transformed! Come on!
The final step is inquiring. To inquire is a fancy way of saying to ask. Did you know that when you are in that place, at that time, and gazing on the beauty of the Lord revealed in the Scriptures, questions will come up? Did you know that you can ask questions? Well, you can ask God questions. It does not mean he will answer them right away, but as you dwell and gaze, you can begin to talk to the Lord about what he is showing you about himself.
You can ask him specific questions. He may answer with a thought, a picture, or another scripture. Or not at all. Whatever the case, I encourage people to have a journal to write down the questions and answers they receive. Document your conversations with the Lord. These are precious conversations that you will want to return to.
You may have a place, time, Bible reading plan, and are already talking with God regularly. You may have one or two of these nailed down. You may be doing none of this.
It is not about principles and practices. The principles and practices simply help cultivate the heart posture. Find what works for you and do it consistently.
Wherever you may find yourself in your pursuit of intimacy with God, I simply invite you today to show up to the secret place, open your Bible, invite Holy Spirit to reveal God’s beauty to you, and have a conversation based on what you see.
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