Do This to Get Closer to God

One Thing: Pre-Deciding to Pursue Intimacy With God

Scripture References

Primary text

• Psalm 27

Other references

• Psalm 63
• Psalm 19
• Psalm 122

Overview

King David teaches us that closeness to God never happens by accident. When pressed to name the single request he would bring before the Lord, David asked for continual intimacy with Him (Psalm 27). Craig Groeschel challenges us to “think ahead” and pre-decide—before fatigue, emotion, or temptation cloud judgment—that we will prioritize God’s presence, His word, and His church. We do this because, like David, we are desperate for all three.

Main Points

Pre-Decision: Intimacy with God Comes First

• You do not drift into a vibrant relationship with God; it requires intentionality.
• David’s “one thing” request shows supreme value: living continually in God’s presence to behold His beauty and seek Him in His temple.
• Modern distractions—entertainment, possessions, even worthwhile causes—tempt us to chase “anything but God.”

1. Desperate for God’s Presence

• David’s life displayed ongoing desperation (e.g., hiding from a son who wanted to kill him).
  Psalm 63 language: “I thirst for You… my whole being longs for You.”
• Pastor Craig’s current realities mirror that need: daughters’ health issues, a grieving church family, heavy travel, book release stress, a daughter’s upcoming wedding, skin flare-ups—all reasons to seek God’s comfort, wisdom, and power.
• Intimacy language goes beyond mere friendship; it is soul-level dependence.

2. Desperate for God’s Word

• Relationship deepens through words; Scripture is God’s love letter.
• David’s description (Psalm 19): God’s instructions are perfect, trustworthy, right, clear, more desirable than gold, sweeter than honey.
• God’s word delivers what is needed in the moment:
  • Encouragement when sad
  • Guidance when confused
  • Peace when anxious
  • Strength when weary
  • Courage when fearful
  • Hope when hurting
• Practical self-talk Scriptures (book/chapter not cited in the sermon) illustrate how to preach truth to oneself in crisis.

3. Desperate for God’s Church

• Psalm 122: “I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”
• Consistent gathering is not optional Christianity; it is family life.
• Pastor’s testimony:
  • Story: Childhood call to ministry in a Christmas Eve communion service.
  • Story: Conversion in college after receiving a free Bible, immediately followed by joining a local church.
  • Story: Met Amy through church connections; first date was a Bible study. Marriage proposal, wedding, early ministry, friendships, children’s baptisms, and spouses—all trace back to the local church.
• “The righteous are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish”—blessing flows from rootedness in God’s people.

Series Preview: Six Biblical Examples of Thinking Ahead

• David — prioritize intimacy with God
• Job — pursue purity
• Hannah — trust God whatever comes
• Nicodemus — seek truth
• Abraham — obey God’s commands
• Joseph — believe God’s calling even when it makes no sense

Key Truths

• Intimacy never happens without intentionality—decide before the crisis hits.
• What you ask God for most reveals what you value most.
• You are already desperate for God’s presence, word, and people; awareness turns desperation into pursuit.
• Scripture is perfectly suited to revive, guide, and sustain every part of life.
• Lifelong flourishing is linked to being planted in the local church.

Response

• Pre-decide one daily practice that draws you into God’s presence (set prayer time, worship walk, silence).
• Establish a non-negotiable plan for feeding on Scripture—reading plan, audio Bible, verse memorization.
• Plant yourself: commit to regular, in-person worship and active service in a local church body.
• When anxiety, temptation, or weariness surface, speak God’s word aloud rather than spiraling inward.
• Share your pre-decision with a trusted friend for accountability.

Closing

Intimacy with God is not reserved for spiritual giants; it is the rightful pursuit of every believer. David’s single request—“that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life”—exposes our deepest need. We, too, are desperate: for God’s nearness, for His spoken truth, and for His tangible love expressed through the church. Decide today, before tomorrow’s pressures arrive, that you will seek Him first.

“There is no such thing as intimacy without intentionality.”

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, would You forgive my sins.
Jesus, save me, make me new.
Fill me with Your Spirit so I can walk in Your presence, so I can know Your word, and so I can be strong in Your church.
Thank You for forgiveness, thank You for new life.
I give You all of mine. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”