As I was out on my usual morning prayer walk, moving slowly through the neighborhood, something unexpected happened. I had been praying over homes, listening for the Lord, simply being with Him—when suddenly, Psalm 27:4 came to mind. The verse surfaced with surprising clarity, and in that moment, I realized how deeply it mirrors the first major movement of the Practicing the Way model for discipleship: "Be with Jesus."

This wasn’t just a nice parallel or a theological connection—it felt like the Holy Spirit was illuminating a deeper truth. King David’s singular desire in this psalm seemed to express, in poetic form, the very heartbeat of apprenticeship to Jesus. As I reflected more deeply, I began to see how the phrases in Psalm 27:4 aligned exactly with the three core practices I had developed to express the “Be with Jesus” aim: Abide in Jesus, Behold Jesus, and Rest in Jesus.

That reflection led to the creation of this resource—a page dedicated to helping disciples of Jesus see how one ancient prayer can become a blueprint for modern formation.

How Psalm 27:4 Reflects the Practices of “Be with Jesus”

In the Practicing the Way model of discipleship, the first and foundational goal is to “Be with Jesus”, expressed through three key practices: Abide in Jesus > Behold Jesus > Rest in Jesus

Psalm 27:4 is more than a poetic prayer—it’s a vivid picture of what it looks like to center your life on Jesus through these very practices.

1. Abide in Jesus > “…that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life…”

David’s desire to dwell in the house of the Lord speaks to a deep longing for continual presence—to live his life anchored in proximity to God. He isn’t asking for a visit or a moment of inspiration, but for a life shaped and sustained by nearness.

To abide in Jesus is to adopt this same posture: making your home in Him, remaining close, and allowing the percolating work of the Spirit to saturate your mind and heart over time. This is not a rush-through encounter but a slow-forming intimacy. Like steeping tea, abiding lets the presence of Jesus soak into every area of life.

To abide in Jesus is to live with Him always, allowing His presence to form you in hidden, daily ways.

2. Behold Jesus > “…to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord…”

To gaze upon God’s beauty is not casual or passive—it is an act of sustained attention and deep affection. David is longing not simply to see God, but to let His beauty, power, and glory reorient him—to shape his mind, stir his heart, refine his motives, and direct his actions.

This is the essence of beholding Jesus. It’s not a spiritual hobby or aesthetic experience—it’s a soul-transforming practice. It is the fixing of the eyes on the eternal rather than the temporary (2 Cor. 4:18), and this re-centering changes us. The more we behold His character, the more we become like Him (2 Cor. 3:18).

To behold Jesus is to be captivated by who He is until His presence reshapes who we are.

3. Rest in Jesus > “…and to inquire in his temple.”

To inquire is not about anxious striving for information—it is a quiet, trusting search for truth and guidance. David’s inquiry is rooted in a belief that God is the answer—not just the source of answers. It’s the act of seeking not to gain control, but to find rest in His truth, His plans, and His ways.

For the apprentice of Jesus, this kind of inquiry becomes a way of resting in Him. We bring our questions, burdens, and uncertainties to Jesus—not to fix them ourselves, but to be settled in His presence. This is a rest that flows from confidence in who He is. We seek, not to strive, but to rest in the reality that He sees, He knows, and He leads well.

To rest in Jesus is to listen and seek with faith—trusting that in Him, every answer ultimately finds its home.

Final Reflection: Becoming Through Being

Psalm 27:4 is not merely David’s poetic wish—it is the template for the inner life of a disciple. His “one thing” is not productivity or public success—it is presence. And within that presence, we find the essential practices of being with Jesus.

• David longs to abide—to live in God’s nearness long enough for His Spirit to shape every part of him.

• He longs to behold—to let the beauty of God pierce through distraction and realign him with eternal reality.

• He longs to rest—to seek not out of fear but from a quieted heart that trusts in God’s goodness.

This is what forms the apprentice of Jesus. Not just doing for Him, but dwelling with Him. Not just believing in Him, but beholding Him. Not just asking from Him, but resting in Him.

 In this way, Psalm 27:4 becomes both a prayer and a pathway—a vision of the life we are invited into, one where Jesus is not just central, but everything.