Psalms 27:8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.

Once again I see the benefit of reading the Bible in more than one language. Instead of saying, “My heart says of you,” the Japanese here says, “My heart says for You,” or “in Your place.” Our hearts will indeed speak God’s words to us, if we are tender before Him and are listening. David experienced that at times, which is why the first part of this Psalm expresses such glorious assurance. David was a very fallible human being, as are we all, and he didn’t maintain this level of fellowship with God at all times. When he fell with Bathsheba it was certainly drastic, and was an object lesson that we are never to take our relationship with the Lord for granted, but always keep pressing in to Him, just as He was telling David to do here. The moment we think, “I’ve found God, so I don’t need to keep seeking Him,” we are in deep trouble. Since He is infinite, there is always more of Him to find! I am increasingly convinced that my father’s catch phrase, “Give all you know of yourself to all you know of Christ,” is just as important for the seasoned Christian as it is for someone opening their heart to Christ for the first time. We cannot know all of Christ, of God, until we are before the Throne, (1 Corinthians 13:12) and we should be learning more about ourselves each day. We need to keep our commitment up to date on both sides of that equation. That is what God desires of us.

I don’t know how many years ago now that it was, but I wrote “YES!” in my Bible at the time at this verse. God has been calling me closer to Him all my life, really, but my response has been anything but even. At the same time, I agree 100% with the Bill Gaither song, The Longer I Serve Him the Sweeter He Grows. I haven’t been particularly faithful, but He has! Turning 74 next month, I have no idea how much longer the Lord will use me on this earth, but I want every bit of it to be pleasing to Him. The Holy Spirit within me is indeed telling me to keep pressing in for more of my Savior – and that there’s always more to be had! Yesterday showed that God is indeed doing good things in this church, and I look forward to all that He is going to do. At the same time, I am increasingly aware that it’s not my church, it’s His, and what He does through whom is His business. I am to keep equipping the saints to do the work of ministry, (Ephesians 4:12) extending the Kingdom of God to the ends of the earth, just as it says in our church vision, for His pleasure and glory.

Father, thank You for this powerful, encouraging reminder. Help me indeed keep growing, in every way You know I need to, so that I may be the servant that You desire, for the sake of the Body of Christ and for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!