Beholding and Inquiring
George H. Morrison
Psalm 27:4
In this verse so full of riches, we have the spiritual ambition of the Psalmist, and the notable thing is how his single purpose resolves itself into two parts. Just as the single seeds of many plants separate themselves out into two seed-leaves, and just as the sunshine, that most fruitful unity, breaks up, to put it roughly, into light and heat, so the spiritual ambition of the Psalmist, of which he is speaking in this verse, reveals itself under two different aspects. One thing he desires of the Lord, and then that one thing shows itself as two things. He yearns to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His holy temple from which we gather that beholding and inquiring are but different aspects of one life, vitally interwoven with each other. They are not contrary nor contradictory like day and night or cold and heat. They are related elements in every life that is hungering and thirsting after God. All the experiences of the soul in its inward rest and never-ending searching may be summed up in beholding and inquiring.
One notes, first of all, how spiritual life runs down its roots into beholding. "We beheld His glory, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). "Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:29). There are three desires in the heart of every Christian; one is to run his course with honor. The second is to endure, without embittering, the bitterest that life can bring. The third and deepest of the three is this, to be always growing more like the Master in inward character and outward conduct. Now tell me, what is the gospel way toward the achievement of these deep desires? It is not speculation nor philosophy. It is a way within the reach of every man. To run with honor, to endure the worst, to be changed into the likeness of the Lord-all of them are based upon beholding. "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus" (Heb. 12:1). "He endured as seeing Him who is i ...
George H. Morrison
Psalm 27:4
In this verse so full of riches, we have the spiritual ambition of the Psalmist, and the notable thing is how his single purpose resolves itself into two parts. Just as the single seeds of many plants separate themselves out into two seed-leaves, and just as the sunshine, that most fruitful unity, breaks up, to put it roughly, into light and heat, so the spiritual ambition of the Psalmist, of which he is speaking in this verse, reveals itself under two different aspects. One thing he desires of the Lord, and then that one thing shows itself as two things. He yearns to behold the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His holy temple from which we gather that beholding and inquiring are but different aspects of one life, vitally interwoven with each other. They are not contrary nor contradictory like day and night or cold and heat. They are related elements in every life that is hungering and thirsting after God. All the experiences of the soul in its inward rest and never-ending searching may be summed up in beholding and inquiring.
One notes, first of all, how spiritual life runs down its roots into beholding. "We beheld His glory, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). "Behold the Lamb of God" (John 1:29). There are three desires in the heart of every Christian; one is to run his course with honor. The second is to endure, without embittering, the bitterest that life can bring. The third and deepest of the three is this, to be always growing more like the Master in inward character and outward conduct. Now tell me, what is the gospel way toward the achievement of these deep desires? It is not speculation nor philosophy. It is a way within the reach of every man. To run with honor, to endure the worst, to be changed into the likeness of the Lord-all of them are based upon beholding. "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus" (Heb. 12:1). "He endured as seeing Him who is i ...
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