“My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face.’ Your face, Lord, will I seek.”- Psalm 27:8
In Chapter 11 of Prayer, Timothy Keller writes that when we speak to someone, we address the person to his or her face. Thus, to seek God’s face is “to have our hearts enabled by the Holy Spirit to sense his reality and presence.”
Although in the Old Testament we are told that no one can see God’s face and live (Exodus 33:20), because of Jesus’ shed blood and forgiveness, we can have a closeness to God that was not possible before. Throughout the writing of John Owen, he repeatedly spoke of what has been called the beatific vision. This is what believers will experience fully in heaven, by sight, and what Christians now have on earth partially, by faith and not yet with our literal eyes.
When Paul spoke of beholding Christ’s glory, he meant more than mere belief that Jesus was glorious, as Pastor Keller explains:
“To behold the glory of Jesus means that we begin to find Christ beautiful for who he is in himself. It means a kind of prayer in which we are not simply coming to him to get his forgiveness, his help for our needs, his favor and blessing. Rather, the consideration of his character, words, and work on our behalf becomes inherently satisfying, enjoyable, comforting, and strengthening.”
Today’s question: How have you been intentional in overcoming fear and anxiety by, through the power of the Holy Spirit, beholding Christ’s glory? Please share.
Coming Monday: the new Short Meditation, “Awaken our soul”
Tomorrow’s blog: “Loving God supremely”