Unless I am very wrong,I cannot see the intense seeking of God's face in the narratives about Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Yes God appears miraculously to them to make His covenant promises known. Yes their righteousness comes from their own faith in what Yahweh's has revealed about Himself.
And that goes for us too. Our righteousness does not lie in "seek God's face as often as you can and you will be saved".
We are God's children because we were given a righteousness that comes from Jesus who died and rose from the grave. Children of God delight to draw near to God and be in His presence, in privacy and with God's family.
Here are a few strokes that sketch God's house and table and what takes place there.
You and I are invited to come by faith to enjoy to have our cups run over!
Psalm 23:5,6
TO SIT AT GOD’S TABLE IN GOD’S HOUSE
Psalm 27:4: “One thing I ask of the lORD this is what I seek 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 seek Him in His temple.”
- The house and table of the Lord is a picture of communion and fellowship with God Himself!
- Psalm 26:8 “…the house of God, the place where His glory dwells”.
- The temple is a symbol of Yahweh’s presence where He is with His people.
- The temple is where we know we can approach Him, knowing we will find Him.
- To be present in the temple is to be before God - to have access to Him, weeping, praise and thanksgiving.
- To be ever dwelling in the temple means to be always in God’s presence.
- The temple is a place of feasting on God’s abundance, rivers of delight, liberal hospitality ( (Psalm 36:7-8)
- The temple is a place where God’s people are treated with great honour and care (Psalm 23;5,6)
- God’s temple is far more than just escaping an immediate threat.
- What an honour, what amazing grace, that He wants us, to live with Him.
- The house of God in Psalm 23: a spread or set table, anointed heads, overflowing cups, a divine welcoming host.
- Psalm 23 -our Host lavishes on his guests honour, lovingkindness , abundant goodness and protective care.
- At this table we are treated to a feast of God Himself.
- To dwell with God to see His beauty: His pleasantness, His delightfulness.
- To come to Yahweh’s house is to come to the very presence of Yahweh Himself.
- To come to the dwelling place of God is to come to the very source of light and life.
- Where Yahweh dwells there His light shines. and illuminates everything (Psalm 26:8)
- In the House of God as His guest, we have direct access to Him.
- In God’s house we can ask guidance of Him (Psalm 27:4)
- In God’s house, in His presence in His light, we see light and with Him is the fountain of life.
- At His table we receive His hospitality of abundant provision, steadfast love, forgiveness, light, protection and life.
- In His presence my brimful cup overflows and head is anointed.
Dwelling with God is to see God face to face
to know Him fully as we were first fully known by Him.
(1 Corinthians 13:12)
It’s a wonderful thing to know our Father and to know Jesus, but the power of the Spirit - it’s a wonderful thing to be known by all of THEM!
Psalm 23:5,6
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of theLord
for ever.
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of theLord
for ever.
