'The Chosen Place'
- Oct 3, 2025
- 5 min read
We continue in our series of ‘Knowing God Better.’ Last week we started to look at the ‘Presence of God’ and we were reminded that “God’s presence is fundamental to God’s story.”
If you agree, then God’s presence must be fundamental to my story and to your story, especially when we are seeking to know Him better!
Psalm 27 has been called “one of the best-known and most comforting psalms.” We don’t know a lot about when this psalm was written, but we know it was written by David. It’s difficult to know exactly what is going on in David’s life. We read about adversaries and foes, of an army that is against him. The thing is, we can relate to this psalm!
In this psalm, David is honest before God. It’s not only a good place to begin, it’s the only place where we are able to be honest and share everything that’s going on in our life.
David’s situation doesn’t change. But when he encounters God, David changes. What’s the best way to deal with change, new directions, distracting fears? By coming face-to-face with God.
Interestingly, a survey was conducted which found that nearly two-thirds of regular church attendees say they have never experienced God’s presence in a worship service. The survey goes on to state that nearly 50% have not experienced God’s presence in the past year. What about you?
Like David, whatever we’re going through we all need an encounter with God and have a desire for closeness to Him.
Vance Havner said, 'Nothing is scarier today in Christians and churches than the absence of the presence of God'.
"One thing" (v4), David says, “I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”
This is about a covenant that God has with David with no strings attached. One of the marks of the Christian life is a no strings attached faith! I am using the phrase to describe an attitude of faith in which we yield full control of our life to God. Ultimately, every move with God must be based on our trust in Him to be who He says He is, and to do what He promises He will do.
Interestingly, the etymology of “no strings attached” has its root in Jewish culture. When legal documents were written on parchment, strings were attached. These were used to tie them shut when they were rolled up. When a document was delivered, the transaction was not completed until the delivering party had released it and the strings binding it. For instance, if a man delivered a deed of sale but held on to the document’s string, the transaction was invalid because at any moment he might snatch it back.
How free are you to let go of the strings of control of your life and to let God have full control? Nothing challenges the quality of our faith and trust in God more. Such obedience when given wholeheartedly to God, is one of the purest acts of worship.
I'm sure you know we have to do the same as David and make God first in our allegiance and attention and the focus of our affections and adoration - totally and wholeheartedly seeking Him above all things.
This kind of spirituality goes far beyond any routine or ritual, and can be experienced regardless of our condition or circumstance.
David had made that choice. Read verse 4 again.
Karl Barth says, it "equates with concepts of the shekina (glorious presence), spirit or wisdom of God... God fills his house or the earth with his presence, so that his 'fullness' resides at the chosen place and manifests itself with power..."
Notice the phrase, ‘his 'fullness' resides at the chosen place.’ Where is ‘the chosen place’ for you?
Just imagine if you had one wish from the most powerful person in the world who could make any wish come true? What would you ask for? A house, a car, money, a job, a future, hope, love, happiness? What would it be?
David’s ‘one thing’ is to spend his life living in God’s presence. WOW!
He wants to be in that place where the Lord dwells and where the Lord’s presence is real. He had an all-consuming desire for God's presence.
I reckon he knew the reality of "His 'fullness' resides at the chosen place."
George Wagner said, “One thing. Changes, great changes, and many bereavements there have been in my life. I have been emptied from vessel to vessel. But one thing has never failed, one thing makes me feel that my life has been one; it has calmed my joys, soothed my sorrows, guided me in difficulty, strengthened me in weakness. It is the presence of God, a faithful and loving God.”
How many of us, day by day, are actively conscious of the real presence of Jesus Christ, and God our Father, by the power of the Holy Spirit?
When I was reading and preparing the blog, I came across this definition of revival: “the overwhelming sense of God’s presence that falls powerfully on Christian people who have become dead and lethargic in their spiritual lives, reviving those elements of the Christian life that God intends to be normal for his church.” What a wonderful thought!
We need to look to God our Father, who redeems, who saves, who restores, renews and heals. To look to Him for REVIVAL!
Here’s how you know that you’ve begun to move into the presence of God: David’s self-image had been deconstructed and reconstructed on the spot. At the same moment, he realised he was more wicked than he dared believed and more loved than he dared imagine by the grace of God.
R. T. Kendall's advice: "Don't settle for more mere information about God. Or more theological knowledge. Give yourself no rest until you cross over that crucial line from second-hand knowledge about God to firsthand knowledge of God. There is nothing more exciting than when you see for yourself that God is real.”
Have you settled for far less of God than He wants to reveal?
The wonder of closeness with God is available to you right now. As you draw near to God, as you are consumed by His love, and your life is rearranged by His grace, you’ll find fulfilment, purpose, and an unmatched sense of adventure.
He is good. He is powerful. He is here.
Thomas Chisholm never had an easy life. In 1866, he was born in a log cabin in Franklin, Kentucky, and he never received a formal education. He became a Christian as a young adult and began to pastor a church at age 36. But Thomas was in poor health and his fragile health confined him to bed at times, unable to work.
But Thomas was not deterred. Toward the end of his life he said, “My income has not been large at any time due to impaired health in the earlier years, which has followed me on until now. Although I must not fail to record here the unfailing faithfulness of a covenant-keeping God and that He has given me many wonderful displays of His providing care, for which I am filled with astonishing gratefulness.”
Any wonder he wrote – Great is Thy Faithfulness.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth,
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
Prayer
God, of your goodness, give me yourself; you are enough for me, and anything less that I could ask for would not do you full honour. And if I ask anything that is less, I shall always lack something, but in you alone I have everything.
Julian of Norwich
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