Now you may ask what does God’s face shining upon you mean?  This term is used in Numbers 6:24-27, and in Psalm 4:6-8; 44:3; 67:1; 80:3-6

In the commentary written by Matthew Henry over 100 years ago we are told that this term can mean two things:  One as a comparison of the sun shining upon the earth—to enlighten and comfort it and to renew the face of it.  The second is that it alludes to the smiles of a father upon his child.

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God’s face shining on His people is like the smiles of a father upon his child—how cool.  Take time to watch as Dad’s interact with their ‘lil boys and girls.  Some of the things good Dads do for their kids is watch over them, comfort them, protect them, help them, hug them, teach them, listen to them, and give to them. Dads hold their little kids’ hands so they won’t fall.  Cowboy Dads let their kids ride their best horses.  Dads delight in every detail of their kids lives.  This is how our Heavenly Father is with us.

"The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those
who fear him."

Psalm 103:13

When you were a teenager and rebelled against your father, did he frown at you and sometimes turn away from you? Did it seem as though he was the meanest man in the world, that what he was asking would ruin your life?  Now that you are an adult and look back, was your Dad really trying to ruin your life?  Have you ever thought that what God asked of you would ruin your life?  Your Heavenly Father wants nothing but the best life for you.

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Let the smile of your face shine on us, Lord. 

You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and wine.

 

King David in Psalm 4:6 says that God’s favor, His face shining upon him, is better than life and all of its comforts.  He was king; he had everything money could buy, and God’s favor was better.

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"The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,

His ears are open to their cries for help. 

But the Lord turns His face against those who do evil." 

Psalm 34:15-16

 

What causes God to favor and smile upon some people and to forsake and reject others?  First, to not be condemned by God, Jesus Christ must be your Lord and Savior.  Second, God simply delights in those who have turned their hearts toward Him.  To be a humble, loving, repentant, teachable child causes God’s face to continue to shine upon you.  1 Chronicles 29:17 tells us that God examines our hearts and rejoices when He finds integrity there.  The Lord delights in His righteous people and rejoices over them. (Isaiah 62:1-5)  In Zephaniah 3:17 we are told that God will rejoice over His people with great gladness; His love will calm our fears.  God will rejoice by singing a happy song.

Just as a good Dad loves and blesses all of his children, so does our Heavenly Father.  Just as the sun has more than enough heat and warmth for all, there is more than enough of God for all.  In prayer, we should beg God’s face to shine on everyone as well as ourselves.  We should beg that all would turn toward God so that His face could shine on them.  Don’t worry about others taking your shine—we will never come up short because God has enough love to shine on everyone.

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"Turn us again to yourself, O God.  ​

Make your face
shine down upon us.
Only then will we be saved."
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Psalm 80:3



But I trust YOU,​

O LORD, saying,
“YOU are my GOD!’
My future is
in your hands.
Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.

LET YOUR FAVOR SHINE ON YOUR SERVANT.
IN YOUR UNFAILING LOVE, SAVE ME.

GOD, Your goodness is so great!
You have stored up great blessings
for those who honor you
You have done so much for those
who come to you for protection,
blessing them before the watching world.
YOU hide them in the shelter of YOUR presence,
safe from those who conspire against them.
YOU shelter them in YOUR presence
far from accusing tongues.
Love the LORD, all you faithful ones!
For the LORD protects
those who are loyal to HIM.
But HE harshly punishes all who are arrogant.
So be strong and take courage,
all you who put your hope in the Lord.
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Psalm 31:16,19,20, 23, 24