A Word from Psalm 99

If you've spent much time in Bible-believing church, you've probably been told more than once that, one day, you're going to stand before the Lord. And if you're not ready for that day, it's going to be a long, hard eternity. And so, if you can stop quaking in your boots, you'd better do everything you can to be prepared. But what if "standing before the Lord" is meant to be a very different kind of experience?

I ask this because today's word from Psalm 99 offers a description of God in all His terrible splendor:

The LORD reigns, 

     let the nations tremble; 

He sits enthroned between the cherubim, 

     let the earth shake. 

Great is the LORD in Zion; 

     He is exalted over all the nations. 

Exalt the LORD our God 

     and worship at his footstool; 

     He is holy. (99:1-2, 5; emphasis added)

Now clearly, I think those verses are intended to get us thinking about God in all His awesome might. And yet, I think back to my childhood, when my father used to spend a lot of time in his favorite lounge chair -- a chair that happened to have a beat-up old footstool. And one of my favorite things to do was to play around on that stool -- sitting on my father's feet, talking to him, and simply enjoying the gift of being with him.

And I wonder: Could it be that "worshipping at the footstool" of our mighty and awesome God might be a little like that? Don't get me wrong. God is awesome and holy in glorious might. But He's also chosen to reveal Himself in humility and gentleness. 

And so today, I'm pretty sure that God invites you into His presence. And you might quake in holy fear, or play in thankful joy. But whatever you do, may you know that it's a gift just to be with Him. And may that gift be enough. Amen.