“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” (Psalm 27:4, ESV).
I’ve always admired single-minded people who know what they want and go after it. They set goals, strategize for success, and stay focused until those goals become reality. We’ve all read or heard about people who’ve accomplished amazing feats. Their stories sound alike. They focus on what they want and go after it with everything they have.
But Scripture calls us to a deeper kind of focus—one that shapes not just our goals, but our entire lives. Paul warns us to be single-minded in our pursuit of God:
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2, ESV).
David demonstrates this single-mindedness in our verse today when he says that all he wants from God is “one thing” he would seek: to be with God. In a later Psalm, he continues this theme of being solely focused on God when he prays,
“Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name” (Psalm 86:11, ESV).
The Bible warns us against being double-minded or having a divided heart. We are either for God or against Him (1 Kings 18:21, Matthew 6:24, James 4:8). Indecision or a lackadaisical attitude could have cost David his kingdom or, worse, his life. David kept his heart fixed on God, yet we know how challenging that can be in our own lives. Scripture cautions us that being double-minded makes us “unstable in all [our] ways” (James 1:9, ESV).
David kept his focus on God. We should do the same, because only God can give us:
· Discernment.
· Wisdom.
· Deliverance from evil.
· Clarity and direction in all situations.
· Courage and strength during extreme opposition.
· Peace and hope when all feels lost.
God has given us clear instructions in the Bible. We are to test everything the world tells us against Scripture (Acts 17:11; Colossians 2:8). Learning and keeping God’s word will protect us and be a blessing to us (Psalm 1).
Because God’s Word anchors us, it also reminds us of the urgency of living with purpose:
“And just as it is appointed that man should die once, and after that comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, ESV)
So set your sights on God and pursue Him single‑mindedly, and He will level all your paths. Start today by keeping your focus on God. Make one small, practical choice that reflects a God‑centered life—how you respond, what you consume, or where you place your attention.
Closing Prayer: God, become the focus of our lives. Quiet all distractions and unite our hearts so that we seek You only. Help us to know that You are our greatest ally. Amen.
