The phrase “one thing” stood out to me this week in my reading of God’s Word.  One thing!  I decided to do a search in the Bible to see where this phrase is used.  I thought it was interesting because in many places it is used for the “same” thing.  This led me to ponder this phrase even more.

So, what is this one thing?

“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.” 

Psalm 27:4

According to King David, he wanted more than anything to be in the presence of God.  Is that our desire?

One day, two sisters were preparing a meal for Jesus and the disciples. Mary was sitting at Jesus’ feet and Martha was busy making the preparations. Martha then began complaining to Jesus to make Mary help her.

“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” 

Jesus in Luke 10:42

Mary was just sitting there at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach.  Mary wanted more than anything to be in the presence of Jesus.

One time, there was a man running to Jesus.  This man had a question for Jesus, so he kneeled and asked.

“Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 

Mark 10:17

What did this man want?  He wanted eternal life in the presence of God.

Jesus answered the man in the following way:  “Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.  And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”  (Mark 10:18-21)

Jesus gave the answer so that this man could have that eternal life.  What was that answer?

“Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” 

Jesus in Mark 10:21

In order to have this one thing, to be in the presence of God, we need to follow Christ.  We need to follow the Messiah.  We need to follow Jesus! 

The man in this story went away grieved (Mark 10:22) as he wanted to hold on to his earthly possessions.  Is this something you battle?  Is this something I battle?  If we know for a fact there is an eternity, do we want the pleasure of being in God’s presence for that eternity?  Jesus tells us the way.  God told us in the Old Testament that He would tell us the way.  He told us to listen to the Prophet that would speak all of the words that He commanded Him to speak.  Jesus did this. 

What did Jesus tell us?  I believe He told us that following God and His ways is the most needful thing in our lives.  Sometimes we hold onto anything but that, and yet, as David cried out in Psalm 27, one thing is needful… being in the house of the Lord.  Jesus began His ministry with the phrase “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.”  Did this not mean that God wants us to enjoy eternity with Him?  Jesus told us to change our way of thinking, to turn to God’s way of thinking, and to enjoy the kingdom of God.  This is the one thing that I believe is needful!

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul in Philippians 3:13-14

What is that prize?  Eternity with God! 

Oh for the blessed hope of eternity.  Even more than that, the joy that God gives us here on earth.  Jesus tells us that He gives us His joy. 

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”

Jesus in John 15:11

There is joy in being with the heavenly Father.  The joy that we can have eternal life.  Only one thing is needful.  Today, I want to sit at His feet and be in His presence… and obtain that one thing that is needful… that relationship with Him.  If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour… if you don’t know the heavenly Father who loves you so very much… and you WANT to know, ask Him to reveal Himself in His Word.  If you need someone to lead you to Him, then ask someone who knows Him… ask me, if you want… but ask. 

TESTIMONY

God knows that it may take someone to lead us to Him.  He states in Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15 that the feet of those that bring the good news are beautiful.  In Acts 8, Philip was taken to an Ethiopian eunuch who was reading the Scriptures in Isaiah.  This eunuch did not understand what he was reading.  Philip was taken by God from a great revival to speak to this one man to explain the Scriptures.  The Ethiopian eunuch then understood and gave His life to the Lord.  God cared enough about him that as he sought the truth, God led him to it through one of God’s disciples.  So, if you are reading the Word of God, and you truly want the truth, do not be afraid to ask God to use others to help enlighten you.  God states in Jeremiah 29:13 “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

I personally know this is true.  I read the Bible through almost four complete times before coming to understand and giving my life wholly to God.  But, at first, I was not seeking a relationship with God.  I was only seeking to know what the Bible said.  When I wanted to have the relationship with God that I saw in others, I asked God to show me… and He did.  Search for Him, and you WILL find Him.  Seek His Word.  It will lead you to the truth.  I am living proof of it!