Coram Deo means “Before the Face of God.” It is a term made popular by the late theologian R.C. Sproul. He published a series of articles for Ligonier Ministries’ journal Table Talk, titled “Before the Face of God.” This term came to my mind as I contemplated Psalm 27:4. David writes, “One thing have I desired 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 behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.” The Living Bible paraphrases this verse in this way, “The one thing I want from God, the thing I seek most of all, is the privilege of meditating in his temple, living in his presence every day of my life, delighting in his incomparable perfections and glory.”
To live coram Deo, “before the face of God,” in His presence and for His purpose is to live all of life under His authority and for His glory. Living each day of life before the face of God was David’s greatest desire. Sadly, for many who claim to be Christians, this is not the greatest desire. The apostle Paul stated it like this in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
My prayer is that you will seek the face of God and desire to live every day in His presence for his glory. May God bless you in your journey. He loves you and so does First Baptist Church.