October 12
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MAKE YOUR FACE TO SHINE UPON YOUR SERVANT
But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD,
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies
And from those who persecute me.
16 Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;
Save me in Your lovingkindness.
17 Let me not be put to shame,
O LORD, for I call upon You;
Let the wicked be put to shame,
let them be silent in Sheol.18 Let the lying lips be mute
Which speak arrogantly against the righteous
With pride and contempt. – Psalm 31:14-18
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In this psalm, David once again manifests his big heart who always seeks God’s own heart. He trusts the Lord with his own life. He believes that God is always looking after him especially protecting and delivering him from his enemies. He asks His heavenly Father to make His face shine upon him.
The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance on you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). This was the priests’ blessing in the Old Testament for God’s people passed down for centuries. According to an internet source, in 1979, archaeologists excavating a tomb near Jerusalem discovered two small silver scrolls that recorded this priestly blessing from Numbers 6. The scrolls were dated to the 7th century B.C., making them oldest written Scriptures found.
What does “the Lord make His face shine on you” mean? The fact that God would have Aaron and the priests to repeat this blessing for centuries must mean it is very important. This blessing is an appeal to God to look favorably upon His people and to grant His presence, blessing, guidance, and grace. David used this blessing in this psalm, asking God’s presence in the midst of all that he is going through. Shouldn’t we all ask the Lord to shine his face upon us all?
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to ask God’s presence, blessings and guidance in our lives?