‘the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you’; Number 6:25
One of my favourite parts of the day is when I come home from work in the evening and am greeted by the happy smiley faces of my girls. They often almost knock me over as I walk through the door and jump up at me wanting hugs and kisses. Then they fight to tell me first the latest news of what exciting events have happened at home or probably more likely what mischievous deeds the dog has got up to! It’s such a highlight in my day and when I see them my face “lights up.”
Have you ever stopped to consider that if I can feel such delight towards being with my kids how much more does our Heavenly Father delight in us!
In today’s verse we read about God’s face. The theme of the “face” of God and has the idea of His people receiving His full attention. The nations surrounding Israel believed in gods who could be distracted by other things and had to be summoned, awakened, or roused to action.This is the background for Elijah’s taunts to the prophets of Baal, (1 Kings 18:27–28.) Many pagan religious rituals were designed to attract the attention of the gods and put them in a proper mood to act on behalf of their worshipers, but this was not the experience for the nation of Israel. When the people were faithful to God, His “face” was toward them with the result that they would have peace. God’s “face” radiates divine favour. Ancient Israel could expect The Lord’s loving, gracious response to their calls for help.
‘The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace’. Another beautiful point we find in this verse is in the words “turn his face towards you.” Normally when we are disappointed with someone we turn away from them. Physically and emotionally. We separate ourselves in an attempt to protect ourselves. We withdraw because we are disappointed and we don’t want to allow ourselves to be hurt again. However the Lord will never treat us in this way. No matter what we do the Lord never turns from us. Romans 8 reminds us: ‘What shall separate us from the love of God’? There is no thing, no one and no sin that will ever subvert the Lord’s favour and love towards us. We have been made completely acceptable through the blood of Jesus. Because of his sacrifice the Father can draw close to us today. He is not looking away from you or your situation. He has not turned His back to you. You are never out of His gaze. He is always looking at you and His heart is burning with love for you.
John Gills exposition says this,
“Show his face and favour, look cheerfully on his people, declare himself well pleased with them in Christ, and appear as smiling upon them through him, indulging them with visits of love, restoring to them the joys of his salvation, and upholding them with his free Spirit; and so causing them to walk pleasantly and comfortably in the ways of God, expecting eternal life and happiness, as God's free gift through Christ”
Please remember to share this daily devotion with your friends, and if anyone wants to receive ‘Grace for Today’ directly then please just sign up via our website at www.exchangechurchbelfast.com
Unshakeable Hope Series – Exchange Church Belfast 2021