For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.

   - Psalm 11.7

It were my soul’s desire to see the face of God;
it were my soul’s desire to rest in His abode.
It were my soul’s desire to study zealously;
this, too, my soul’s desire, a clear rule set for me.

  - Anonymous, “The Soul’s Desire,” Early Irish

The close relationship between dwelling in the Lord’s presence, contemplating His face – where we may behold the glory of the Lord (2 Cor. 4.6) – and the life of study according to a strict rule of discipline is plainly in view in these opening stanzas of the anonymous monk’s verse.

Celtic scholars were also great mystics; their studies led them to deeper meditation on the beauty of the Lord, which, in turn, led to greater zeal for and courage in the work of teaching and evangelizing. For them there was no separation between the life of reason and thinking, meditation and solitude, and good works of love.

In our day neither study nor earnest contemplation appeals to many. We want our religion upbeat, fun, and not too demanding. We’ll let the pastor and the worship band do the evangelizing, and as for discipline, well, the less we fuss and worry about that, the better. Don't want to become legalistic, you know.

But the psalmist says the Lord is in His holy temple and He looks upon us to test us, to try what we’re made of, and what is the quality of our faith (Ps. 11.4, 5). He tests us by confronting us with doubters, skeptics, oppressors, and those who would destroy our faith and our lives. He tests us by strewing our path with opportunities to know, enjoy, serve, and glorify Him. God sends these to us because He is righteous, and He longs for us to respond to such threats and opportunities, not by fleeing to some safe sanctuary, but through deeds of righteous service and witness.

But service and witness flow from beholding the face of Christ, which comes through earnest discipline and careful, daily study.

No matter how upbeat and exciting our weekly worship may be, it will not prepare us for the tests and opportunities God sends us each day. For these we need diligent study, devoted contemplation, setting our minds on the things that are above, and being transformed by the glory that shines in the face of Jesus.

What does your soul desire, really, most eagerly, desire? Refuge and shelter from the threats of the secular world and the demands of loving others? Or strength to stand firm in deeds of love and truth?

The former you can get just about anywhere; the latter comes only by dedicated study and contemplation. And by the strength of the glory of Jesus.

Psalm 11.5-7 (Tidings: “O Zion, Haste, Your Mission High Fulfilling”)
God tests the wicked as He tests the righteous;
See how His soul all evildoers hates.
He will not let our foes assail or smite us;
On them His wrath nor ceases nor abates.
Jesus is righteous, loving the just;
All will behold His face who on His mercy trust.

It is hard for me to believe, Lord, that the fullness of life in Jesus can be known by exerting myself in study, contemplation, and service. This simply is not who I am! But make me what You will, Lord, no matter the cost, for then only will I know Your presence and joy.