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
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the word beauty? Jewelry? Make up? Models? Outward beauty is pleasant to behold—but it is fleeting. The glimmer and glamour of outward beauty only lasts for a season.
Like wild flowers in a field, it eventually fades…
but there is a profound beauty that resides deep within our souls. A beauty that never falters. A lasting beauty reaching far into eternity.
For many of us, Jesus is not the first person we think of when we think of beauty.
In fact, Isaiah tells us…
He had no beauty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him (Isaiah 53:2).
Jesus, the Ruler and Creator of all beauty, left his throne of majestic splendor to take on the form of an ordinary man—to bear the ugliness of our sin and shame.
He was beaten, bruised, disfigured and despised to give us access to his divine beauty. The beauty of his holiness, forgiveness, grace and mercy. He stooped down low to lift us out of the ashes—he bore a piercing crown of thorns on his head to bestow upon us a crown of beauty (Is 61:3).
He carried our sorrows to give us salvation; he was pierced to give us peace; he was afflicted for our affection, and suffered violence to give us victory. Words cannot fully express this immense kind of love. It is breathtaking and… beautiful.
When we behold the splendor of God and experience his astounding love, our inner beauty shines through our souls, revealing who we truly are in Him.
When we ponder the glory of his goodness, we can’t help but echo the words of David,
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…” Psalm 27:4
Nothing in all of creation is more beautiful and delightful than dwelling in his presence, relishing in his love. Have you seen traces of his beauty today?
Fix your eyes on him, and allow the beauty of his grace to envelop you like a glittering garment. You are redeemed. You are forgiven. And you are beautiful.
Jesus bore your brokenness to give you his beauty. This beauty shines as a sparkling testimony to the world around us that our Redeemer indeed lives.
I will build you with stones of turquoise, your foundations with sapphires. I will make your battlements of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and your walls of precious stones.
Isaiah 54:11-12
The next time you get dressed and put on your make up and jewelry, remind yourself that you are adorned with the beauty of Christ. Beautify yourself with his splendor; wrap yourself in his sparkling robe of righteousness. Garnish yourself in his garland of grace; wear his love like a locket, and his wisdom like precious pearls.
Put on your garments of beauty, dear sister.
Adorn yourself in an eternal splendor that lasts more than a lifetime…it will last forever.
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.”
1 Peter 3:3-4
Where do you see God’s beauty? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
I see God’s beauty in His creation of grandchildren.
I definitely see God’s beauty in my children too, and in the beauty of family. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
I see God’s beauty in my mom’s beautiful smile even after the effects of radiation from her cancer treatments have left her body broken and hurting. I see God’s beauty in my aunt when I see the joy on her wizened face every time I come for a visit, and I see God’s beauty when I look up from my troubles and realize that He is in the flight of a nearby butterfly, in wind blowing through amber and rust colored leaves, and in the full moon on a warm summer’s night.
Wow Julie, thanks so much for sharing. It’s truly amazing how God turns our brokenness into beauty–allowing the light of his gleaming splendor to shine all the brighter in our lives. May the Lord continue to bless your precious mom and aunt!