Today’s Reading: Psalm 17

“As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness.” (Psalm 17:15)

You might say that David was theologically ahead of his time. His thoughts, his prayers and his desires often foreshadow the doctrines of the New Testament that Christ revealed. No wonder David was a man after God’s own heart!

In our selected verse, David writes about the day he passes from this life and enters into glory to meet his King, the LORD. It is so masterfully composed, David may very well have outdone Paul at his own job in writing about the Resurrection. It only proves the wonderful harmony of the Scriptures, from beginning to end. Church, it is not belaboring to say: It is all about Jesus.

If we take a closer look, we can see three New Testament doctrines to pluck right off the bough of David’s eloquent words in verse 15.

First, David speaks of seeing the LORD face to face: “As for me, I will see Your face." What a hope! There were few prophets in the Old Testament who understood their future glory like David, let alone the spectacle of seeing the Savior's face.

Our Lord proclaimed on that great Sermon on the Mount —

“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

The Apostle Paul also declared —

“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Beloved, have you ever meditated on what that day will be like? — when your eyes will see your Redeemer’s gaze?

Second, David speaks of an awakening: “I shall be satisfied when I awake..." What a fascinating statement! For David, death was not to fall asleep, but to awaken — to come alive. If you think this life is dynamic, wait until you awaken in glory. You will be alive like never before (see Daniel 12:2-3).

The Apostle Paul likewise declared —

“This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison." (2 Corinthians 4:17; see also Romans 8:18)

Beloved, when you pass from this life you have nothing to fear. You will immediately awaken into an unrivaled state of joy in the presence of God and in fellowship with God’s people.

Third, and perhaps most significant of all, David speaks of a transformation: "when I awake in Your likeness." Do you see it? David's expectation and confidence was that He would awaken transformed to be in the likeness of his LORD.

It’s no surprise that we find the apostles preaching this hope for those in Christ.

Paul preached —

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Philippians 3:20–21)

John preached as well —

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:2)

Dear flock, will you not join David in this heavenly expectation? These promise are reserved for you and waiting for you when you enter into the Kingdom of God, there is no doubt. As sure as Christ is risen, you will rise again to see Christ face to face in glory.

“When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:4)

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