There are all kinds of devotional materials on the market. My attempt at these reflections is not based on any of them. I’m trying to simply spend time with my Lord and listen. I’m trying not to complicate things.

David had a focus on devotion that was very simple. “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.” (Psalm 27:4).

Interestingly, God had actually invited David to do this very thing. “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, LORD, I will seek.” (Psalm 27:8). I think this must be at the core of why God referred to David as a man after His own heart. The very thing God wanted from David was the very thing David desperately wanted to do…to behold the beauty of his God.

The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident. 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. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.
- Psalm 27

I believe for years I have made devotions too complicated. “…to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD…” Now that is simple and profound.

Recently, my family went through the pains of packing boxes, saying goodbyes, making decisions, preparing to drive across New Mexico and West Texas to a new home. We saw most of our worldly possessions boxed up and disappear in someone else’s control. Then we had to unpack, make more decisions, and settle into that new place before it felt anything like home. In all that disruption — when there was no rhythm and nothing was normal — I found myself praying that we would somehow stop to behold the Lord’s beauty and to see His beauty in the very things we were doing that so unsettled our lives…

Now there is a new normal. I find it a constant struggle to take the time to slow down enough simply to gaze into the face of my Savior. Some days are better than others.