Eyes on God

There’s a video clip turned famous meme where a tuxedo-clad groom all but falls apart when his bride comes into view. We’re left wondering who the woman is that triggered such a volcano of emotion. I’ve often compared this modern trend, of capturing the groom’s reaction to the bride to what often passes for worship in the church today. Instead of all eyes being on the bride, our eyes shift away from her to the groom. With groom gazing, as with modern worship, we’re more interested in our emotional response to God than to God Himself. Of course, every analogy breaks down at some point. In the Bible, God is compared to a groom. But we get the point.

What we need most at Tremont Temple is to gaze at God. To behold his holiness. To eye the righteous judge who is full of wrath. To look upon our Merciful Father, who is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Ex. 34:6) We need to feel small before the One who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and marked the heavens with a span.” (Isa. 40:12a) We need to stare at Him who is mighty to save (Zeph: 3:17). The One whose counsels will stand, and who will accomplish all His purposes (Isa. 46:10).

Sure, the Scriptures say a lot about us. But too much of our contemplation is about us. Only God will do. Only an unbroken vision of His character will sustain our faith when the winds and waves batter us. If we find ourselves wondering why there seems to be little power in our lives and ministries, it may be that we’ve taken traded in our theology for anthropology. More solid food is to feast on God’s character, His attributes, and His savings acts, which find their pinnacle in Jesus Christ, His sin-bearing death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and return.

Let us recommit ourselves to deep meditation on God, Himself! Let us pray for robust, Spirit-wrought revelation of God’s unchanging character. Let us clear away the wild brush and thorns that have obscured the old paths. Let us worship God, and not worship worship, which is ultimately the idolatry of the self. Let us be in awe of Him whose rescue plan is our hope in life and in death.