One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4 (NIV)
Heavenly Father, it’s only through the gospel of your grace that I’ve come to know you to be a beautiful God. Before then, your loveliness was veiled to me, mostly by the darkness of my unbelief, layers of bad teaching, and the busyness of my soul.
But now, your splendor outshines the sun; your excellences stagger my imagination; and your kindness melts my heart. Show me more, Father; free me to linger in your presence that I might savor more of your incomparable beauty and goodness.
I see your beauty in the things you’ve made. Creation often shouts your majesty; sometimes it whispers, to quiet my noisy heart. Open my eyes wider, Father. Grant me jaw-dropping wonder as I come even more alive to your fingerprints everywhere.
I see your beauty in people—in every person, if I take time to look. Father, continue to heal my vision of people. Though we’re all broken, yet as your image bearers, each of us reveals glimmers and glimpses of your loveliness.
I especially see your beauty in Jesus. Indeed, Father, I’ve come to behold your beauty most expressly and fully in Jesus. No one has ever seen you completely, but Jesus has made you known to us (John 1:18). In Jesus, we see the magnificence of your mercies, the grandeur of your grace, and the wonders of your love. Father, remove the cataracts on our souls; heal the astigmatism of our hearts. Show us more of Jesus’ beauty, much more.
We long for the Day when we’ll see the unfettered, unfiltered beauty of your face (Rev. 22:4), for that will be our first Day in the new heaven and new earth. Hasten that Day, LORD. Until then, we bless you for your commitment to make all things beautiful in their time, including us. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ tender and triumphant name.
