2 Samuel 21:1 Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered… David sought the face of the Lord (Revised Version). The Authorized Version has here "inquired of the Lord," as in 2 Samuel 2:1, where it is the translation of a different phrase. Doubtless the substantial meaning is the same. But, as with words, so with phrases, two are seldom wholly synonymous; and the differences are often instructive, suggesting each its own train of thought. So it is with these two phrases. That in the Revised Version leads us to think of - I. THE NATURE OF TRUE WORSHIP. It is seeking the face of God, to realize his presence, behold his glory, be made sensible of his majesty, holiness and loving kindness. Or, in greater strictness, this may he said to be preliminary to the worship of him. We come into his presence that we may present to him our adoration, praises, confessions, and prayers. We must not be content with coming into his house, seeing his servants, joining in ceremonies - leaving, as it were, our names and messages, engaging and depending on the intercession of those who are supposed to approach nearer to him. Our heavenly Father does not keep such state as to exclude or repel any one from coming near to him. He wishes to see his children, to smile upon them, to embrace them, to speak with them. Any methods of worship which keep men at a distance from him are contrary to his will. The mediation of Christ is not a substitute for intimate converse with God, but a means of attaining it, as we may see by considering - II. THE POSSIBILITY AND WARRANT OF SUCH WORSHIP. There are, doubtless, difficulties in the way of the approach of men to God. These are removed pre-eminently by the mediation of our Lord. 1. Ignorance separates from God; Christ makes him known. By his teaching, by his own character, and by the Spirit he imparts to his disciples. "In the face of Jesus Christ" we see that of the Father (2 Corinthians 4:6; John 14:8, 9). 2. Sin separates from God; Christ delivers from sin. (1) He has atoned for sin by his death. He "suffered for sins, the Just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God" (1 Peter 3:18). He has thus removed the barrier presented by the justice of God and "the curse of the Law" (Galatians 3:13). And through faith in Christ the conscience is purged from sin by his blood (Hebrews 9:14), and the believer has "boldness to enter into the holiest" (Hebrews 10:19-22). Through Christ the face of God shines with a benignant brightness on those who approach him. (2) Christ cleanses the nature and character from sin. He thus produces that purity of heart which is necessary for those who would "see God" (Matthew 5:8). 3. Not only the putting away of sin, but certain positive dispositions are necessary in seeking the face of God. Christ has secured and he imparts these. To his disciples is given "the Spirit of adoption" (Romans 8:15), and thus they come to God with confidence, affection, and self-surrender. Thus Christ is "the Way" by which we "come to the Father" (John 14:6). "Through him we have access by one Spirit unto the Father" (Ephesians 2:18). III. THE NECESSITY OF SUCH WORSHIP. We must seek God's face if we would behold it with joy. He sometimes surprises men by sudden and unexpected manifestations of himself to them; but this will ordinarily be to those who love him and are in the habit of seeking him (see John 14:19-23). Hence the exhortations, "Seek the Lord,... seek his face evermore" (Psalm 105:4); "Seek, and ye shall find" (Matthew 7:7; comp. 2 Chronicles 7:14). IV. GODLY MEN ARE DISTINGUISHED BY SUCH WORSHIP. "This is the generation of them that seek him, that seek thy face, O God of Jacob" (Psalm 24:6). "When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek" (Psalm 27:8). 1. The godly are impelled to this: (1) By love to God, and consequent longing after him (Psalm 42:1, 2; Psalm 63:1, 2). (2) By faith in him and in his promises (Hebrews 11:6). (3) By the sense of needs which only God can supply. (4) By memory of former converse with God, and of the enjoyment and profit derived from it. 2. Hence they seek God's face daily; and with special earnestness in times of special difficulty or danger. David felt how much he needed Divine guidance in reference to the famine which for three years had harassed the country; hence he "sought the face of the Lord." In trouble the Divine call may be heard, "Seek ye my face;" and many begin to do so when trouble is upon them. V. SUCH WORSHIP IS FRUITFUL OF BLESSING. It is never in vain (Isaiah 45:19), although at times it may appear to be so (Job 23:3-9). "Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13) is a promise of universal applicability. And to gain the vision of God's face is to be blessed indeed. The sight of him: 1. Calms and soothes and comforts the heart. As a mother's face soothes the suffering child, "Sorrow and fear are gone, Whene'er thy face appears: It stills the sighing orphan's moan, And dries the widow's tears: It hallows every cross; It sweetly comforts me, Makes me forget my every loss, And find my all in thee." 2. Encourages to pray. When his face is seen, we are enabled to tell him all that is in our heart, with the assurance of success in our suit. 3. Sheds light into the soul. The "light of his countenance" scatters the darkness. Perplexities are half solved as soon as we have caught sight of the face of God. 4. Produces likeness to him. "We shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2) is a promise partially fufilled in the present life. 5. The crowning result is to "see his face" in the fulness of its glory, and forever. (Revelation 22:4.) But to those who refuse to seek him, turning to him their back, and not their face (Jeremiah 2:27), he says, "I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity" (Jeremiah 18:17); and they will at length say "to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb" (Revelation 6:16). - G.W. Parallel Verses KJV: Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites. |
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