Dwell
Recently, I heard a new worship song by SEU Worship called “Dwell.” I’m going to type some of the lyrics that spoke to me, and I encourage you to go look this song up and listen to it today:
There’s only one thing I ask
Only one thing I seek
To dwell in Your presence
Dwell in Your presence
All the days of my life
Every breath that I breathe
I wanna dwell in Your presence
Dwell in Your presence
It’s a beautiful song, with more lyrics than what I’ve written; but just hearing the singer sing again and again, I wanna dwell, all the days, I wanna dwell, I wanna dwell…prompted me to really think about what it means to dwell.
Initially my thoughts were that this was a beautiful, spirit-filled song that made it so easy to enter into worship and feel that peace that only the Holy Spirit can bring. Surely, that was dwelling right? Just sitting in the presence of God in that moment during worship? But I believe dwelling is more than just a feeling. It’s more than just a worship experience.
The definition of the word “dwell" means a few things. I want to share a couple of definitions in particular with you.
One definition is to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside. As Christians we can choose to live in the presence of Jesus. We get to walk with Jesus daily in our life through prayer, obedience to the Word, and living our testimony. We can dwell as a child of God, a permanent resident of the family of God. And that’s just who we are and where we choose to live.
Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing 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.”
Are you seeking Jesus today? Seeking Him continually through your day? Are you aware that He is walking with you throughout your day?
Another definition of “dwell” is to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing. We can also think on the things the Lord wants to instill in us through His Word.
Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Philippians 4:8 also prompts us over our thoughts: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Are you filling your mind with the thoughts of Jesus today? Are you reading the Bible daily? Are you memorizing Scripture so that the Word is truly hidden in your heart?
To truly dwell in the presence of Jesus is more than just a worship experience; it is a lifestyle.
Activation: I encourage you to listen to the song “Dwell” by SEU Worship today. Make that song your heart’s cry to Jesus today. Then, choose to take that worship moment of reflection and prayer with you throughout the day. You aren’t just dwelling with Jesus during your quiet time, but you are dwelling with Him as you continue to include Him and acknowledge His presence in your life throughout your entire day. What a privilege it is to walk with Jesus, every moment, of every day.
There’s only one thing I ask
Only one thing I seek
To dwell in Your presence
Dwell in Your presence
All the days of my life
Every breath that I breathe
I wanna dwell in Your presence
Dwell in Your presence
It’s a beautiful song, with more lyrics than what I’ve written; but just hearing the singer sing again and again, I wanna dwell, all the days, I wanna dwell, I wanna dwell…prompted me to really think about what it means to dwell.
Initially my thoughts were that this was a beautiful, spirit-filled song that made it so easy to enter into worship and feel that peace that only the Holy Spirit can bring. Surely, that was dwelling right? Just sitting in the presence of God in that moment during worship? But I believe dwelling is more than just a feeling. It’s more than just a worship experience.
The definition of the word “dwell" means a few things. I want to share a couple of definitions in particular with you.
One definition is to live or stay as a permanent resident; reside. As Christians we can choose to live in the presence of Jesus. We get to walk with Jesus daily in our life through prayer, obedience to the Word, and living our testimony. We can dwell as a child of God, a permanent resident of the family of God. And that’s just who we are and where we choose to live.
Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing 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.”
Are you seeking Jesus today? Seeking Him continually through your day? Are you aware that He is walking with you throughout your day?
Another definition of “dwell” is to linger over, emphasize, or ponder in thought, speech, or writing. We can also think on the things the Lord wants to instill in us through His Word.
Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
Philippians 4:8 also prompts us over our thoughts: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Are you filling your mind with the thoughts of Jesus today? Are you reading the Bible daily? Are you memorizing Scripture so that the Word is truly hidden in your heart?
To truly dwell in the presence of Jesus is more than just a worship experience; it is a lifestyle.
Activation: I encourage you to listen to the song “Dwell” by SEU Worship today. Make that song your heart’s cry to Jesus today. Then, choose to take that worship moment of reflection and prayer with you throughout the day. You aren’t just dwelling with Jesus during your quiet time, but you are dwelling with Him as you continue to include Him and acknowledge His presence in your life throughout your entire day. What a privilege it is to walk with Jesus, every moment, of every day.
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