In these series of articles, it is my desire to bring us to where the Psalmist takes us in Psalm 27 v 4; to “behold the beauty of the Lord”. I believe that this subject is something that we, as Christians have neglected in our present age. Our right desire for “truth”, and our caution about “feelings” and “excesses” in our pulpits, and in our pews, can sometimes skew our Christian lives away from the joy that comes to those who truly know the beauty of God.
Our forefathers were able to articulate their understanding of the subject. In the 4th century, Augustine wrote the words that form the first two verses of this seldom sung hymn:
O matchless beauty of our God
so ancient and so new,
kindle in us your fire of love;
fall on us as the dew!How late we came to love you, Lord;
how strong the hold of sin!
Your beauty speaks from all that is:
your likeness pleads within.(Words in English quoted from Praise Hymn Book No 737)
In this first article, we simply endeavour to introduce the subject.
The “fire of love” that Augustine writes about, is something we need in these days. It is the same fire that we see in the Psalmist, David:
One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: 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 v 4)
What determination we find in this verse! The NKJV calls the Psalm “An Exuberant Declaration of Faith”. The very use of the expression “one thing” shows us a man of single-minded intention. It was not a passing thing either; the word “inquire” could be rendered “meditate”. David wanted to spend time – significant time – in this pursuit.
We might think that such a pursuit relates only to our eternal occupation in heaven, but Scripture convinces otherwise. Beholding and meditating on the beauty of God is to be a pursuit for us on earth.
There is a “whole Bible context” to this subject, it is not just the province of an Old Testament poet, or of the glorified saint! We can usefully introduce our subject further by considering the teaching of the Lord Jesus in His parable of the kingdom:
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13 v 45 – 46)
Matthew 13 is full of “Kingdom parables”, but it is this one in particular, that helps us to begin to discover the wonders of this glorious aspect of the revelation of God.
The parables which point us to the kingdom of heaven are not solely about heaven to come, but are also descriptions of the kingdom purposes of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth. That kingdom-influence affects our hearts; for the Christian it becomes the governing influence within.
Look how Jesus ends this series of parables:
Then He said to them, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” (Matthew 13 v 51 – 52)
As we examine what the Bible tells us of the beauty of God, we will find some things that will cause us to say “I know this, but I never realised how wonderful it is” And maybe, there are treasures to discover that we have never seen before – treasures old and new!
Christ’s parable does however show us something of the diligence that we will need to find such treasure. The merchant is “seeking” beautiful pearls. He is not just popping into an ‘Antique & Collectables’ market while he is on holiday and picking up a bargain; he is intensely diligent in his seeking! He is the New Testament equivalent of David in his “desiring” in Psalm 27.
Here already is a lesson for us. To know more of the beauty of God will not come through casual and passing acquaintance, there must be a determined desire in our hearts to know God in this matter.
There are many beautiful and valuable things that we discover in our Christian life and experience – many beautiful pearls. But this pearl is one of greatest price, supreme beauty, and to be desired above all things. All other things pale in comparison. For this pearl the merchant sold every other. Our discovery of the beauty of God will cause us, likewise to consider all other things worthless in comparison. The Apostle Paul knew this truth, and gives us the clue of where this ultimate beauty is to be found:
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him… (Phil 3 v 7 – 9)
The beauty of God, is something that runs right through Scripture, and out into the experience of Christians through all the centuries since. In the love song of the Old Testament, Solomon writes of the one who is “altogether lovely” (Song of Solomon 5 v 16). He had discovered something of the beauty of God in the person of the Lord Jesus, centuries before the incarnation. Late in the seventeenth century, the hymn writer John Mason discovered Him too, and penned these words:
I’ve found the pearl of greatest price,
My heart doth sing for joy;
And sing I must, for Christ is mine;
Christ shall my song employ.Christ Jesus is my all in all,
My comfort and my love,
My life below, and He shall be
My joy and crown above.
In these days of high intensity communication, time-bound activity and the frenetic nature of life, there is a need for us to be more “David like” in our desire, more “merchant like” in our seeking and more “Paul like” in our discernment of what we count as truly beautiful and precious. It is only in our understanding of the depth of divine love that we will then be more “Solomon like” in seeing our dear Saviour as being “altogether lovely”.
This article was first published by the Evangelical Times – Aug 2024