How Long, Lord?

A Contemplation of Ethan the Ezrahite.
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever;
With my mouth will I make known
Your faithfulness to all generations....
How long, LORD?
Will You hide Yourself forever?
~ Psalms 89:1,46 (NKJV)

I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.
~ Psalms 143:6 (NKJV)

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,
Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see,
Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee
Perfect in power, in love, and purity.
~ Reginald Heber, Holy, Holy, Holy traditional hymn

Ethan the Ezrahite once waited for the Lord to show Himself. He is now in the Lord's blessed presence, where he will continue to sing of the mercies of the Lord, a delight begun on earth. Like people who love the Lord, music is one of the few things to follow us from earth to heaven.

Surely Ethan knew the pain and the pleasure—the agony and the ecstasy—which praise may evoke. When one praises the Lord with abandon one thirsts for ever more of Him. No matter how close one comes to the throne, the eye of sinful man may not see the glory. In deepest passion of praise, passion's pain can overwhelm.

Jesus' love for us knew the depths of passion's pain. He did not draw back at the point where His love for us pierced Him. We can do no less in our praise for Him.

Lord God Almighty, You are the great and powerful King of the universe, and You are Ruler of our hearts. You command us to love You with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, then leave us spent, thirsting desperately for all of You. How long, Lord, until we see Your glory?

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