Breathtaking Beauty

Dear Kids,

As the writer of Psalm 27 voices his confidence in God during times of difficulty, he also expresses his desire to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord by seeking Him in His temple. His deepest longing is to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of his life. He has seen God’s goodness and longs to experience His presence continually.

Does the Psalmist really want to pack his bags and move into the temple made of gold and silver? I don’t think he does any more than we would desire to make our bed in the local church building. I believe he understands that there is no manmade structure that could contain God’s power and beauty. “The Most High does not live in houses made by men. As the prophet says: ‘Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool” (Acts 7:48 & Isaiah 66:1).

God’s presence extends everywhere simultaneously and even the whole world cannot contain Him. David, the Psalmist, has seen God’s goodness throughout his life and longs to dwell in the presence of the Almighty One forever. He understands that residing in the shadow of the Almighty provides a hiding place in times of trouble and a place of deliverance in times of need.