One Thing (1)

Why does David say, 'One thing?'
(1) It is because of the nature of God. We must have the whole bent and sway of our souls focused on him. He will have no wavering. The devil is content with half, because if we give into sin then he is sure that he has enough. But God will have the whole heart. 'My son, give me your whole heart' (Prov. 23:26); and 'You shall love the Lord with all your heart, and with all your soul' (Luke 10:27). The bent and sway of the soul must be that way. God is offended if we do not make him our main thing. He will not have us serve him and mammon (Matt. 6:24). He will not have our hearts divided.
(2) It is because of the nature of the soul, for when the soul is about many things, it can do nothing well. A stream cut into many channels runs weakly and is unfit to carry anything. When the soul is divided into many channels, to many things; when it looks after this thing and that thing, and each with expense and intention of care and endeavour, alas, where is the desire of that one thing? For the soul cannot go with the strength it should, except it minds the one thing. The soul of man is a finite thing. Except it gather its strength, as a stream that runs stronger and rises by the inclusion of many lesser rivers; so the soul cannot desire one thing as it should, except it bring all other petty streams to it, and make the main desire its one desire. The main desire must be to be saved, and by grace to have communion and fellowship with God in Christ Jesus. Unless this be the main care, the soul can produce nothing good.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
A Breathing after God, Works, vol. 2, p. 217
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