B is for the Beauty of the Lord

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I 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 in his temple. 

Psalm 27:4

This chapter begins with David describing the Lord -- my light, my salvation, the stronghold. Just the person to run to in times of trouble. Then we see what is happening in David's life. It was not an easy time for him. He is facing challenges -- evildoers are assailing him. There is an army encamped against him and war arising against him. So what is David's response to these hardships, the suffering that he is facing? Does he complain? Does he bemoan what is happening?

His response to not to fear. He knows where to place his confidence. He knows that because "the Lord is my light and my salvation, who shall I fear?" He knows there is nothing to be afraid of because "The Lord is the stronghold of my life."

In the midst of his suffering David states his desire to seek after, to dwell in the house of the Lord and to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. David's response to suffering is to worship. So sing and make melody -- worship God. My suffering is not an army encamped against me but it is real to me. Yet in the midst of my suffering I need to worship God. The response to suffering should be to worship.


Beth

This was inspired by a sermon from Paul Tripp.