God offers us a huge gift, His grace and truth. Hid grace is the invoking of His favor upon us through a blessing He instructed the ancient Hebrew priests to proclaim over His covenant people. It is referred to as the Aaronic or High Priestly blessing. Receive it for yourself and be blessed!
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”‘
(Numbers 6:24-26)
RELEVANCE
In the world we face trials and challenges constantly. So, God offers us a most valuable and precious promise. He promises to sovereignly protect and preserve us from negative and harmful fallout and evil found in the world. Yes, we live in an unredeemed world and will face challenges, some very hard and difficult. But God’s covenant of grace and truth brings redemption. And His redemption is based on His promises, which always point to and reveal His truth.
God’s grace and truth apply to our life on earth and for eternity. His truth is grounded in His Word. As Jesus teaches, as we agree with His truth, which is revealed in His will, we are assured that His will be done in our life on earth as it is in heaven.
Yes, Almighty God, the Creator of the universe, offers us a covenant promise. His covenant forms the basis of a personal relationship with Him. So, it is a relationship grounded in His goodness to be seen in His purposes and actions. Therefore, it is a beautiful and blessed relationship with those who receive His covenant promises and engage in a relationship with Him in trusting faith.
So, consider that the face of God refers to God’s presence, the persona of His identity, His awesomeness and beauty, His lovingkindness. Therefore, having God’s face shine upon you speaks of His divine essence being poured out on you. It brings to the forefront the promise of His favor and grace, mercy and redemption, His shalom—inner peace and wholeness.
David experienced such a relationship with God. His psalms, which are loaded with emotion, express his passion for God and engagement with God. You can say he experienced the light of God’s countenance shining upon him. He experienced God’s grace and learned His truth. David shares what he sensed in that light upon him. He refers to it as a host of benefits he felt coming from God’s presence.
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy.
(Psalm 103:1-8)
REFLECT, RELATE AND RESPOND
Meditate on the blessings God’s grace and truth offered to you. Receive them with a grateful heart. Declare your trust in God and faith in His faithfulness. Keep engaging with Him and hold on to His promises in every situation you face. See the grace of God personified in the face of Messiah Jesus. Receive His light shining upon you and His presence through the Holy Spirit. Reflect further on the scriptures below and receive God’s love as you do.
REFERENCES
Romans 5:1-5; Romans 8:26-38; 2 Timothy 4:18; Philippians 4:6-7