It is early in my precious spot. The sun has not yet declared its glory over my Malawi home. I sit here with a cup of Pike’s Place on my left, my journal on my right, my Mom’s Bible on my lap, and a whole lot of mosquitoes attacking my ankles. But, what grips my mind and my heart are thoughts of the glory of my precious Lord. His holiness is infinite. His presence is intimate. He is so good to me. With David I cry, “Who is Gary that you are mindful of him, the son of Robert A. Rieben that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:4 Gary’s Version.)
This morning I was struck by how many times David makes mention of the priority of finding our joy in God. As I worked through my memorized psalms, I found this everywhere. In Psalm 40:16, he writes, “But may all who seek you rejoice in you; may all who love your salvation always say, ‘The Lord be exalted.’” He writes this after he has catalogued the troubles that have surrounded him, and the sins that have overtaken him, and the enemies that seek to take his life. (12-15) But, he refuses to let the problems set the direction of his life. No! His life has purpose and meaning that transcends the affairs of this world. His Creator, His Savior, has chosen him to be His son, His servant, and His soldier.
The purpose of my life cannot be summed more simply or more profoundly than this, “May all who seek you rejoice in you.” Complaining, sad, bitter, angry, ungrateful, joyless, pouting and griping Christians are, quite frankly, missing the whole point of God’s salvation. Sins are forgiven not just so we can go to heaven, but so we can go to God, the Joy of Life. (1 Peter 3:18) We were created to see and savor the glory of God. (Exodus 33:18) The more we rejoice in Him the more he is glorified. In good times and in bad times he remains the same, the great, gracious and giving God who grants our best, which is to see more and enjoy more of his glory.
“Happy is the man who makes the Lord his trust.” (Ps. 40:4) No politician, no philosopher, no professor and no preacher can improve on that truth. “Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done.” If your eyes are fixed on what is wrong with your world you will miss the awesome and wonderful things He has done for you. And, you will also miss the awesome things he has planned for you. “The things he has planned for us no one can recount to you; if I were to speak and tell of them they would be too many to declare.” (Psalm 40:5)
This God, the Infinite One whose fingers set the moon and stars in their place, is mindful of me! He cares for me! Although he has created me a little lower than heavenly beings, he has crowned me with glory and honor. (Psalm 8:3-5) Thank you Lord for these precious early moments with you in your Word. Thank you for opening my eyes to see the wonderful things you have hidden in your Word. (Psalm 119:18) May I bring you glory all day long by seeking you and finding my joy in you. (Philippians 4:6)