On a recent vacation, I visited an art museum in Sacramento with my brothers and sister. We had a wonderful time wandering through the rooms, briefly glancing at one painting after another. But in front of one sizable piece, we noticed a family sitting together, speaking quietly and gazing at the canvas for a long time. As we passed by, we could overhear them discussing the specific details they appreciated in the work of art.

In Psalm 27:4, the psalmist identifies a single object of his gaze: “One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.” Here, "beauty" carries the idea of pleasantness, delightfulness, and loveliness.

There are entire classes devoted to art appreciation because beauty often requires careful attention and study. We cannot immediately grasp all that has gone into a masterpiece. The same is true when we consider the things of God. We do not naturally understand or appreciate the fullness of who God is and the beauty of His works. In a sense, we need to enter a “God Appreciation School.”

But before we can enter that school, we need eyes to see and ears to hear. Jesus, the great Physician of our souls, through His life, death, resurrection, and ascension, gives spiritual sight and spiritual hearing.

Apart from this spiritual sight, we may still look at God’s creation and recognize beauty in it, and even find some satisfaction in it, but we will fall short of understanding the deeper beauty and reason it was made. As Romans 1 teaches, our fallen humanity worships the creation rather than the Creator.

We admire created things while failing to delight in, worship, and enjoy the One who made them. This is not just to our detriment but incurs God’s judgment against us. But thanks be to God, who opens our eyes to behold the One who is beauty itself and the standard of all that is truly beautiful.

In this school of appreciation, The Holy Spirit is the instructor, and Jesus Christ is the object of the Spirit’s teaching.

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

John 1:18 No one has ever seen God; God the only Son, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

Once our eyes are opened where do we go to learn to grow in our knowledge and understanding of our Savior? David wrote about seeing the beauty of God in the temple. This temple is no longer a physical building, but a spiritual one. We are being built together as living stones with Jesus as the cornerstone. This is why we gather as a church body.

We gather to hear God’s word as the Spirit takes from Christ and gives it to us. We come together to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. We also witness the gifts of the Spirit at work in His people as his beauty is displayed in the fruit and good works that the spirit produces.

What is especially remarkable is how the beauty of God brings peace and comfort even in times of trouble. Psalm 27 was written during a season of trial in David’s life. Surrounded by enemies, where does David seek relief? He seeks it in the house of the Lord so that there he may “gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and inquire in his temple.”

Yet, whether in prosperity or want, trials can tempt us to look away from the Creator and turn back to created things. But created things are fragile; they fade like grass. Those who belong to Jesus are promised an inheritance of everlasting beauty in heaven—a beauty that will never fade because God Himself is our inheritance. There, we will behold His glory with perfect eyes and God will be our supreme and eternal delight.

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, trusting Him for the forgiveness of sins, then you have already entered “God Appreciation School.” At times, the coursework may feel difficult.

Sometimes you may even feel unworthy to remain there because your love and appreciation for God and his beauty seem weak. But remember: the One who enrolled you has already secured a passing grade for you – he has earned it for you. The reward is certain. You will see the beauty of God in the face of Jesus Christ.