We All Look to You
“Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, you are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty…” (Psalm 104:1 ESV)
Have you ever known someone who makes every conversation all about them? Brian Regan, the comedian, calls them "Me-Monsters." They're lurking at the dinner party, in the church lobby, on social media, maybe even in your own home.
Beware the Me-Monster!
The writer of Psalm 104 was the opposite of a "Me-Monster.” The ESV translation of Psalm 104 uses the pronouns “You/Your/He/His" 38 times in reference to God. The pronouns “I/me/my” are used 10 times, and these 10 instances are found in only 4 of the 35 verses which make up the Psalm.
Why is this significant? Because when we enter into sacred space with God we tune our hearts to something bigger than ourselves. We come face to face with our loving Creator and Provider who knows our every need. In view of God’s grace, our need for approval and affection fades into the background. We experience a bit of what it means to be in “union” with God.
“These all look to you to give them their food in due season.” (Psalm 104:27)
Who, or what, are “these”? The writer lists the beasts of the field, wild donkeys, birds of the heavens, livestock, plants, humans, trees, wild goats, rock badgers, lions, sea creatures, even Leviathan. All of these look to God who opens his hand and fills them with good things.
I picture the psalmist standing on a rock ledge looking out on a vista. Slowly, theological understanding meets mystical experience. Light and momentary troubles are dwarfed by the grandeur of mountains lined with cedars and firs. In the chatter of a squirrel, the buzzing of a bee, the cautious gaze of a deer, the assuring voice of God speaks: "Look. Listen. These all look to me."
The more one notices, the more one sees. The soul takes it in and soaks it up, returning it all back to God as love. Awareness leads to love, and love increases awareness.
Do you remember the last time you were overwhelmed by the wonder of God? Even now God is speaking to you, caring for you, and loving you. You don't have to be in the wilderness to experience God's love. You need only be still. Look, you will see. Listen, you will hear.
Jesus, we all look to you. Turn our gaze toward you and keep it there. Tune our hearts to hear you speak. Feed us the food our souls crave. Quench our thirst. Satisfy our longing to be loved and help us to become people of love. Amen.