September 16, the soul's final feast.

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after, 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 inquire in his temple,

Psalm 27, 4. God is not unresponsive to the

contrite longing of the souls. He comes and lifts the load of sin and fills our heart with gladness and

gratitude. You have turned for me my morning into dancing. You have loosed my sackcloth and

clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord, my God,

I will give thanks to you forever, Psalm 30, 11-12. But our joy does not just rise from the

backward glance in gratitude. It also rises from the forward glance in hope. Why are you downcast,

O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God, for I shall again praise him,

my salvation, and my God, Psalm 42, 5 and 6. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word,

I hope. Psalm 130, verse 5. In the end, the heart longs not for any of God's good gifts,

but for God Himself to see Him and know Him, and be in His presence is the soul's final feast.

Beyond this, there is no quest, words fail. We call it pleasure, joy, delight. But these are weak

pointers to the unspeakable experience. One thing, have I asked of the Lord, and that will

I seek after, that I made dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to gaze upon the

beauty of the Lord and to inquire in His temple, Psalm 274. In your presence, there is fullness of joy.

At your right hand are pleasures forevermore, Psalm 1611. Delight yourself in the Lord, Psalm 37,