Living in the presence of God. Enjoying His eternal favor because of Jesus Christ. Knowing that the Almighty is moving in all the details of my life. This is the good life – the truly good life.
The Psalmist tells us in chapter four, verse six, that many are asking, “Who will show us some good?” These people have not even an idea of whom it is to which they should be looking. The aimless crowds are desperate to find anyone who can lead them to a measure of satisfaction – some genuine hope – in this confusing life. As verse seven testifies, the questioning people mistakenly believe the satisfaction must certainly derive from material things: in this case, a bounty of grain and wine.
How desperate the seekers will remain who search for good in the accumulation, use, or enjoyment of things without the presence of God Himself! It is a constant, vibrant, all-pervasive relationship with our Creator that brings a joy – a good – that is beyond description and brings the only genuine comfort in which a soul can rest.
The good life. I spent a large part of an afternoon playing “Nerf guns” with my nephews, Noah and Jake. This game is physical, as I needed to run around my parents’ home either chasing or being chased. Jake often partnered with me, as we found unique places to hide together until Noah came at us, fully armed and ready for battle! As Jake and I crawled behind tables, crouched beside appliances, and stood for what seemed to be hours in the laundry room awaiting the attacks; we giggled together. When Noah would find us, a barrage of Nerf darts flew through the air as we all laughed and enjoyed the simplicity of time together doing what the boys really love. That is the good life.
God created us to love Him and enjoy the creation He has graciously provided according to His plan and in His presence. And so, Jesus has willingly entered our world in order that we might actually have God with us for all the stuff of life; just as I entered the world of my nephews so that they could have me with them for the stuff of their lives. The Nerf game is not a complicated one; rather, its beauty was the simplicity of love and presence. I love my nephews enough to be with them, even at the cost of my time and my body and my passion. The good life is not complicated; rather, its beauty is the simplicity of basking always in the presence of God’s Spirit. His very real presence in the details of our lives came at the immeasurable cost of Jesus’ life.
The Psalmist answers the aimless crowds by asserting in verses six and seven, “Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord! You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” The answer to the question of what is good and what will satisfy is simply this: we need God’s presence. We need Him to be pleased with us because we depend on Jesus for our redemption and every breath we take. We need to seek the favor of God Himself. When He is right with us – invited to be at every turn – our joy will be much more than the fleeting happiness of aimless questioners.