“May God be gracious to us and bless us; may he make his face shine upon us Selah so that your way may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations” (Psalm 67:1-2 CSB).
The radiance of the sun shining on a chilled cheek on a frosty winter day is an indescribable feeling. That same sun shining is pleasant even on a warm day to look up to see the dazzling brightness bringing light to our existence. The stringed instruments accompanying this Psalm convey this melodious thought reminding us of how much we want God’s face to shine on us.
The Lord spoke to Moses to instruct him about the blessing Aaron was to pronounce over the Hebrews (Num. 6:24-26). That blessing is brought to the front in this psalm. The words are reminiscent of that Aaronic blessing, the High Priestly blessing, of years before — “May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.”
On the Transfiguration mountain, Jesus, for just a moment, tore off His robe of flesh to expose His radiance. That radiance was the brightness of God Himself. That brightness reflected on the faces of those gathered there to see this wonder. Even Moses was there to see the awesomeness of Jesus’ face shining on him. Matthew 17:1-3 records this event for us: “After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured in front of them, and his face shone like the sun; his clothes became as white as the light. Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him.”
If you want God’s face to shine on you, you must get yourself in the place where this can happen. His face cannot shine on you away from His church, His service or His good plan for your life. Come out of the shadows of your dark behaviors into the brightness of His shining face.
