“One thing have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
(Psalm 27:4)
What makes a mountain vista or a morning sunrise beautiful is not one singular feature but the harmony of color, light, shape, and proportion. Beauty is found in the blending of elements that stir the soul—and these examples are but faint reflections of the perfect beauty found in the Lord Himself.
Every attribute of God—His wisdom, justice, power, mercy, and truth—is, in and of itself, beautiful. But when considered together, in their eternal fullness and harmony, they display a splendor far beyond what human eyes can bear. The glory of God’s being is so radiant that we are only permitted glimpses in this life—glimpses through His Word, through Christ, and through His works.
Such a glimpse was given to Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration. Though Christ’s divine glory was veiled in human flesh, for a moment it shone through. Peter was so moved by what he saw that he suggested they stay there forever! (Matthew 17:1–9). The same hunger was seen in Moses, who after all he had seen and heard still asked, “Show me thy glory” (Exodus 33:18).
God did not grant Moses the full view, for no mortal could survive it. But He did allow His goodness to pass before him. Even that limited vision was enough to change Moses permanently. The desire to see God’s beauty is the cry of the heart made alive by grace, for the soul was made to behold and delight in divine beauty. All created beauty—sunsets, colors, art, and music—are shadows that stir in us a longing for their true source.
This longing will not be fully satisfied until eternity. “To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Better than fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of any or all earthly friends. These are but shadows, but the enjoyment of God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams, but God is the fountain. These are but drops, but God is the ocean.”[1]
But now, even in this life, we seek to behold the beauty of the Lord through the eyes of faith. He reveals Himself through His Word, through Christ, and through the Spirit who causes us to love and adore Him. And when that beauty fills our vision, lesser things lose their power to distract or entice.
Let the believer echo David’s words: “One thing have I desired.” Not many things. Not temporary things. But one thing—the singular pursuit of the Lord’s presence and glory. That is the desire of a renewed heart.
Contemplations:
- The Privilege of His Presence. I thank God that He has not left me to admire created beauty alone. He has given me glimpses of His glory, and by His grace I will one day dwell forever in His presence. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6).
- The Pearl of Great Price. The world tempts me with lesser treasures. But I see the truth of Amos’ warning—some trade heaven’s riches for silver and shoes (Amos 2:6). Lord, may I never value anything above the beauty of Christ. He is my Pearl of Great Price. My heart desires Him more than gold, more than comfort, more than the fleeting rewards of this life.
- Strengthened by Grace. Lord, You’ve given me the means of grace—prayer, Your Word, the fellowship of believers—to stir my affections toward godliness. “My soul longs, yea, even faints for the courts of the Lord” (Psalm 84:2). I thank You that these means are rivers from the fountain of Your presence to my soul.
- A Thirst That Is Never Dry. If my longing for holiness is real, then I know it springs from You, Lord. “With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early” (Isaiah 26:9). You have given me a thirst that only You can satisfy, and I thank You for it.
Prayer
[Thanksgiving for the Beauty of God]
My glorious Lord, I lift my heart in thanksgiving for the beauty You have revealed and the beauty yet to be seen. “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord… to behold the beauty of the Lord” (Psalm 27:4). This desire is no work of my own—it is a gift from You. And for this gift I give thanks.
You have shown me Your beauty in glimpses—in the majesty of creation, in the grace of Christ, in the power of Your Word. These glimpses are enough to stir my heart, enough to make me long for more. Thank You for not leaving me in the dark, but for revealing Yourself to me in ways that awaken worship and love.
Thank You for the sacrifice of Christ that makes this possible. The death of Your Son opened the way for sinners like me to behold Your glory. Without Him, I could not stand in Your presence. But because of Him, I may look upon You in delight.
Thank You for the longing You’ve placed in my soul, the hunger that can’t be satisfied with created things. You lifted my eyes above the temporary and fixed them on what is eternal. The world offers distractions, but You offer beauty that does not fade. I thank You that You are patient with my wandering and faithful to draw me back.
Thank You for the means of grace that help me see more of You. In prayer, in Scripture, in the gathering of the saints, I behold You with the eyes of faith. And each glimpse draws me nearer. Each glimpse fuels my desire to worship.
You are the source of all that is good and lovely. No sunrise compares to the radiance of Your holiness. No music sounds sweeter than the voice of Your Word. No treasure holds greater value than the beauty of Your presence. You are the delight of my soul.
Thank You for preparing an eternity where this longing will be fully met, where I will see You as You are, and where I will gaze forever upon Your beauty and never grow weary. Until that day, keep me seeking, worshiping, and thanking You for all You’ve done.
In the name of Jesus Christ, the radiance of the Father’s glory, I give thanks. Amen.
Further References for Psalm 27:4
Psalm 23:6; 26:8; 65:4; 84:2; Luke 10:42; Isaiah 26:9
[1] Samuel Hopkins, The Life and Character of the Late Reverend Mr. Jonathan Edwards, (Boston: Printed and sold by S. Kneeland, opposite to the Probate-Office in Queen-Street, 1765), 265.
