Seeking the Face

“Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
    And who shall stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
    who does not lift up his soul to what is false
    and does not swear deceitfully.
He will receive blessing from the Lord
    and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
    who seek the face of the God of Jacob.”

“My eyes are ever toward 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.

For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.

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.’
    Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
    O you who have been my help…

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living!” Psalm 24:3-6; 25:15a; 27:4-9a,13

One of David’s resounding themes in both passion and word is seeking the face of the Lord. His practice in desire and practical outworking is fueled by love for his God. He yearned to behold Him in His resplendent beauty and holiness as a result of mercy received, and to continually seek Him through life, exemplifying that mercy applied. He longed to behold the One who looked in loving favor and grace on him.

Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? Those who seek Him, who make the trek in will and wonder. What are our eyes ever toward? When have we paused our busyness, urgencies, selfish wants and strange attractions to gaze upon His beauty? Where are we satisfied? What recalcitrance or apathy dismisses the Spirit’s allure to lift our heads above earthly delights and concerns?

Consider what His face would reveal and say to our every whim. His mouth would sing over us with rejoicing and speak love over furrowed fainting souls. His healed brow would soften in mercy, His gleaming eyes sparkle with delight and cheer. Seek His face, O hurting, disappointed, yearning, needy child! (Zephaniah 3:17)

“Lord Jesus Christ, we seek Thy face;
Within the veil we bow the knee;
O let Thy glory fill the place!
And bless us while we wait on Thee.

We thank Thee for the precious blood
That purged our sins and brought us nigh;
All cleansed and sanctified to God,
Thy holy name to magnify.

Shut in with Thee far, far, above
The restless world that wars below;
We seek to learn and prove Thy love,
Thy wisdom and Thy grace to know.

The brow that once with thorns was bound,
Thy hands, Thy side, we fain would see;
Draw near, Lord Jesus, glory crowned,
And bless us while we wait on Thee.” ~Alexander Stewart (1843-1923)

Lord, adjust my sights to see You in Your fullness, love, power, and majesty.