Journal Ps 27-29 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation and notes are mine)
Scripture: “One thing have I asked of the Lord,
(one thing) that I will seek after: that I may–
dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to
inquire (ask, investigate, to find out) in his temple…
(skipping to verse 6) And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer (in his tent) sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the LORD.
Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”” (Ps 27:4-8)
Observation: What does it mean to be a man after God’s own heart? What does it mean to pursue God all the days of my life; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD—Forever?
Application: I continue to assert that the Psalms are given to help me to understand and mimic what being an authentic Christian is all about.
The emotional and lyrical language of the Psalms is full of Firm, Rock Solid, Descriptive biblical facts/truths for me to latch upon in full confidence that somehow, if I pursue it, the Holy Spirit is DELIGHTED to install in me.
But that’s the kicker (I say to the face in the mirror), do I want to pursue it, or am I hoping that I will gain these holy, godly things through osmosis—absorbing holiness in the comfort of age, relationships, and shared experiences?
Every day I wonder about my life before Him.
I don’t wonder about His Grace and Mercy towards me; there is a hope that I have to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. I don’t wonder that He made atonement for my sin(s) and that He is my redeemer—I don’t wonder about that. My confidence is in His Word.
This is what I wonder about myself: Am I actively, consistently, primarily, and PREDOMINANTLY seeking after Him?
David wondered that about himself as well.
He got right out there and said, “One thing, O God, one thing. I am only asking one thing!! Only seeking one thing!!” I can imagine David, in the boonies, beating his chest in prayer, crying out with a loud voice, “One thing, God!! Hear me, please!”
And then David broke down the one thing he was asking for from the different facets of that Gospel Jewel: Dwell in your presence; Gaze upon your beauty (which is way more than just sitting around); make inquiry (don’t think that I have it all together knowledge wise).
Sacrifices of praise (Heb 13:15—“…let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name…” is a beginning and part of the foundations of a Christian’s walk. But there is more to understand:
“The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” (Ps 50:23)
“In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering you have NOT required…I DELIGHT to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart…” (Ps 40:6-8)
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise…” (Ps 51:17)
What kind of heart do I have?
What kind of heart do I throw on the altar?
What kind of heart do I lay at the foot of the Cross?
What kind of heart do I constantly want changed from rock hard to soft before Him?
David, the man testified in the Holy Word of God as being a man after God’s own heart, always acknowledged his need of being changed and continually expressed his intention of seeking His Face.
With that as my example, should I be comfortable with any less?
Prayer: Make it so in my life, O God. Help me to declare your goodness and your holiness all the days of my life. Don’t let me shortcut the Gospel to the candy.
AMEN.
Ricky Two Shoes