THE ONE THING NEEDFUL by H. A. ST. JOHN

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Mar 14, 1906

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 32, No. 11.

THE ONE THING NEEDFUL.

By H. A. ST. JOHN

“But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42.

“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 inquire in His temple.” Ps. 27:4.

It is by no means a peculiar characteristic of humanity to desire one thing above all others, and to seek after it with energy and diligence. Even the endless variety of trifling pursuits and vain desires which occupy the youthful mind may generally be comprehended under some one object of attainment.

The “one thing” desired by some, and which in a thousand different ways they determine to seek after, is admiration. Many devote hours and energy to dress for the main purpose of admiration. Some seek to become efficient in the acquirement of various accomplishments with no higher aim. And for this purpose some will even go to the pains of storing their minds with useful knowledge. Others, again, will engage in the active duties of charity and benevolence, to be seen and flattered. And, worst of all, are there not some who even make a fair show of religion itself, with no better object in view than to

obtain the applause and admiration of their fellow creatures?

And then there is another large class, with a different temper of mind, perhaps, and possessing a great variety of wishes, who, according to their ages, tastes, and opportunities, are ardently seeking to please and to enjoy themselves. The one thing desired is personal pleasure, at any cost.

Another class will forego personal pleasure, or even personal health and comfort; they will sit up late and rise up early, that they may attain the one thing for which they seek, and that is riches. Such are rarely satisfied to relinquish this one purpose while life lasts, even if their efforts are crowned with a good degree of success.

Solomon says, “Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.” Such ardently seek to know everything that is to be known, with no higher purpose than to be learned. We need not specify further.

Let each reader for himself inquire, What is the one thing above all others that I desire? Is it some trifling, fleeting thing of earth, which I can retain but a brief time, even if I succeed in attaining? We may examine ourselves and determine this question for ourselves, without the possibility of a doubt, and it is our first and highest duty to do so.

Can we, with the psalmist, truly say, that the one thing we desire of the Lord, and after which we continually seek, is, that we may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our life, and to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple? All this can mean nothing less than to delight in God’s worship and fellowship; and by beholding the beauty of the Lord to be continually attaining to his image, from glory to glory. To be thus “planted in the house of the Lord,” is to flourish in the courts of our God. And they will bring forth fruit in old age.

To behold the beauty of the Lord, will enable us to say with David, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.” And with this view of His beauty and excellence, it will become our chief business and pleasure to inquire in His temple, to wait at the posts of His doors, to learn His will, to do His commandments, to be taught the whole of His truth, ever harkening to the voice of His Word!

In conclusion, let the reader not fail to note the means employed by David for the attainment of that one thing needful. First, he desired it of the Lord. Secondly, he determined to seek after it. This is fervent prayer and persevering endeavor. God is the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find.” God is no respecter of persons. His promises are still the same, yea and amen, to all.

H. A. ST. JOHN.