The believing heart's obedience to God's command.
"When thou saidst," etc. If we were to translate strictly word for word, we should read this verse, "To thee said my heart—Seek ye my face—thy face, Jehovah,! will seek." Our translators (and Revisers) have wisely preferred plain English to pedantic rigour, and have given as the probable meaning, "When thou saidst," etc. This, says Calvin, is a dialogue between the believing heart and God. He likens the Divine invitation, "Seek ye my face," to the key wherewith faith opens the door for prayer. "Without this prelude, no one shall lead the chorus of prayer." The reply of the heart he likens to the echo sleeping in silence, till the voice calls it forth.
I. WHAT IS MEANT BY SEEKING GOD'S FACE?
1. To seek the favour of God; q.d. his pardoning mercy, the smile of his approval, the assurance of his loving-kindness, the happy, peaceful sense of his presence and care. There is a notion in many minds that because God is love, he must love all alike—as he dispenses rain and sunshine to all alike—good and bad, lovely and hateful; and that because he is just, he must treat all alike. Such views can be upheld neither from Scripture nor from common sense. Justice lies not in treating all alike, but in treating each according to character and conduct. Love that can see no fault is as blind as hate that can see no goodness. A face that wears the same bland meaningless smile to every one is intolerable. To suppose that God has no more approval and love for a Christian mother training her child to love him, or a Christian martyr dying for truth, than for a seducer, a thief, an assassin, is to deny God's moral character. It is to substitute an idol of fancy for the living God. The whole gospel hinges on this. God's universal love is shown in the provision whereby each sinner may seek and receive his favour (John 3:16; Romans 5:1, Romans 5:2, Romans 5:10, Romans 5:11).
2. To seek to know God. When we look into one another's faces, we read the soul. Smiles and frowns and tears, the flash of pleasure or of anger, the softening of tender feeling, speak a language which all read intuitively. In its fulness, any such direct knowledge of God is impossible for us (Exodus 33:18, Exodus 33:20). But Jesus is to us as the Face of God (2 Corinthians 4:6; Hebrews 1:3; John 1:18). God's character is revealed; while the Divine glory is veiled and softened to suit our weakness (John 14:9; 1 Corinthians 13:12; Matthew 5:8).
3. To have fellowship with God; personal communion (1 John 1:3). This leads to a second question—
II. HOW Is THIS COMMAND TO BE OBEYED; this invitation accepted; this purpose carried out; this fellowship experienced?
1. By prayer. Looking at Psalms 27:4-6, we may suppose a reference to the temple, with its twofold service of sacrifice and praise. But we must not limit the words to this. They are the language of a heart that waits in secret on God (Matthew 6:6).
2. By the study of God's Word. The whole Bible is the record of God's continuous revelation of himself; partly in words—laws, declarations, predictions, promises; partly in his dealings—with nations, with individuals, with his Church; completely and most gloriously in Christ Jesus—his Person, teaching, atoning death, resurrection, enthronement in glory. If we would gain the knowledge spoken of (2 Peter 3:18), we must observe the condition (Colossians 3:16). They that seek shall find (Isaiah 49:1-26:49; Jeremiah 29:13).