WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
JANUARY 04, 2026
TOPIC: ONE THING!
BY T. O. BANSO
“One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: 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” (Psalm 27:4 New King James Version).
Proverbs 19:21 says, “A man’s heart may be full of designs, but the purpose of the Lord is unchanging” (Bible in Basic English). Human beings have many plans and pursue many things, most of which are unnecessary. It is essential to address this as the year is still new. Is there one thing that you were supposed to do in 2025 that you didn’t do?
Many people invest their limited time in wasteful ventures. Even when they achieve their plans, they can experience dissatisfaction. They can feel that something is still missing. Their heart may be yearning for something they may never know exactly.
One thing! It is useless to do everything except what is needful. If you answer every question in an examination but fail to answer the compulsory question, you may not pass. If you achieve all your goals on earth, but you miss out on one most important thing, you will become miserable.
You can spend all your youthful years pursuing money and end up being a billionaire. But you can become depressed if you have neglected the one thing that you were supposed to have made your topmost priority. One thing!
David said in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: 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” (New King James Version). Note the phrase “one thing.”
David’s foremost priority was not money, power, pleasure, or fame. It was God’s presence. He wanted to spend more time with God. He knew that immense benefits would accrue to him if he could do that. What is the one thing you desire in life? Is it the right thing?
David continued in verse 5 of Psalm 27, “For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion; in the secret place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He shall set me high upon a rock” (New King James Version).
How much time do you spend with God privately in the study of His Word, meditation, worship, and fellowship generally? Do you consider this a priority at all? Or do you think it is for only the ministers of God?
Without the presence of God, a human being is nothing. He can have everything on earth, but without God’s presence, he is not safe. He can even lose what he has gathered. He will miss out on the benefits that money or material things cannot give him – joy, peace, divine health, security, etc.
Is there one thing you have neglected in your life? It won’t matter what other things you have taken care of. Martha had done a good thing by welcoming Jesus into her house. She showed good hospitality by going about the house to prepare something to serve Jesus. But she was distracted from Jesus by the dinner she was preparing for Him, while her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet to listen to His Word.
Martha approached Jesus and said, ‘‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40b New King James Version).
However, Jesus answered her, ‘‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (verses 41-42 New King James Version). The New Living Translation puts it this way: “But the Lord said to her, ‘My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.’”
May you not be distracted in the New Year to do what is good instead of what is right. Martha did what was good, but Mary did what was right. May you know that one thing that should be your priority each time and do it. Failure to do so invariably leads to regret later. Success in life is not about doing many good things; it is about doing the right things.
In Luke 18, the rich young ruler, who asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life, answered Jesus that he had kept all the commandments from his youth (verses 18-21). Jesus replied, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (verse 22b New King James Version).
Unfortunately, he couldn’t do this one thing. He became very sorrowful, for he was wealthy. That showed that his wealth was his god, thus violating the first commandment.
One thing! There could be one thing you should say that will get you the job you’re being interviewed for. There may be one prayer point you should pray, which will change your situation. There could be one thing you should say that will silence your enemy. There may also be one thing you should do that will bring peace to your marriage or turn your life around. May you know that one thing.
In Luke 20:3b, Jesus answered, “I also will ask you one thing, and answer Me: The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men?” (New King James Version). Apparently, they knew the correct answer, but they said they didn’t because it was against them. Therefore, Jesus refused to answer their question about who gave Him the authority to do what He was doing. May the Lord give you the one word you need to speak every time. May you always know the right question to ask or the correct answer to offer at any time.
One thing! Paul said, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 New King James Version). Notice that Paul said one thing, not two, three, or four things. Get your priority right.
If you’re not born again, giving your life to Jesus is the one thing to do now. It is not money or marriage! “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33 New King James Version).
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you must give your heart to Jesus now. Please take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Jesus into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, help me not to be distracted from the one thing I need to be concerned about every time. Father, let me not pursue my own designs and abandon your purpose for my life. I shall not stray from God’s purpose for my life in 2026. Holy Spirit, redirect those who have abandoned God’s purpose for their lives; let them return to pursue it. Let them not neglect the one thing they should do in Jesus’ name.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
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