October 3

Reflections of the Lord's Beauty

As for me, I will behold Your face in righteousness; when I awake, I will be satisfied in Your presence. — Ps 17:15 BSB

The portion that other people have fills their bodies and enriches their children, but the believer’s portion is of a different kind. Worldly people have their treasure in this life, but those who belong to the world to come look beyond this life for their reward.

Our possession is twofold: we have God’s presence now and His likeness in the future. In this life, we see the face of the Lord in righteousness because we are justified in Christ. Oh, what joy to see the face of a reconciled God! The glory of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ gives us a taste of heaven here on earth, and it will be the essence of heaven itself in eternity.

But the joy doesn’t end there. We will be changed into the likeness of what we behold. After we sleep in death, we will wake up to find that we reflect the beauty of our Lord. Faith gazes upon God and transforms us. The heart takes in the image of Jesus until His character is stamped upon our souls. This is true satisfaction. To see God and to become like Him—what more could we desire? David’s confident declaration becomes God’s promise to us through the Holy Spirit. I believe it. I expect it. Lord, grant it. Amen.