So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. (Genesis 2:3)
One thing I have asked of the Lord that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)
We are 1/3 of the way through a month of daily prayer for the work of the church. If you have tried to spend good time in prayer each day, you know that sometimes prayer is work. In our culture, it's quite an effort to be still, to be silent, to be expectant. And then, actually spending time in prevailing prayer, for the in-breaking of the kingdom, is diligent work. It's easier to do activity than to stop to pray.
"Prayer is not preparation for the work. It is the work." But today, Sunday, we rest from our rigorous schedule of praying daily for the work of the church. Instead, we join the God-given, gracious rhythm of resting and rejoicing. David, the warrior-king, cherished time of gazing upon the beauty of the Lord. Today is for rest. Today is for worship. Tomorrow, we get on our knees again to engage the work of prevailing prayer.
As you read this, it might be before church, after church, or Sunday evening. Wherever you are, take some moments to gaze upon his beauty. Tell God that you love him. Praise him for the rest that is the gift of the gospel.
How do we gaze upon the beauty of the Lord? In our hearts, we see with the light of faith a God of splendor and beauty. In the Word of God, we meet a God who reveals himself to his people. In the gift of music, our hearts are tuned and our lips are given words to praise his beauty. If this does not come easy, don't be discouraged. Just start with where you are, and ask God to draw you near to him in the coming days, weeks, and months.
"...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe." (Ephesians 1:17-19)