APRIL 3
Psalm 67:1, “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us.”
Yesterday marked the warmest day of the year so far, and the sunshine was a welcome relief after many cold, rainy days. People ventured outdoors to soak in the sun’s warmth, while flowers bloomed, and smiles spread across faces.
The psalmist prayed for a different kind of “sunshine”—the benevolent countenance of God toward His people. This prayer echoes the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:24-26, where God instructed Moses to pass on a blessing through Aaron and his descendants, calling for God’s favor and blessings upon Israel. In the royal courts of the ancient world, kings expressed favor by making their faces shine, often acknowledging their subjects with a smile or an encouraging gesture. Conversely, a king’s displeasure would be shown through a frown or turning away.
In one sense, believers already experienced the smile of God through their relationship with Christ. Having been “accepted in the beloved” they are recipients of His lavished grace in the manifold spiritual blessings He has bestowed (Ephesians 1:3, 7-8). In practice, we seek God’s favor in our daily lives, recognizing that we are completely dependent on Him for everything. As God’s face shines upon us, we are also called to shine as lights in the world. Just as the psalmist longed for the world to know God and His saving power (Psalm 67:2), we too are privileged to share His light.
In Jesus’ saving work, God smiles towards us, and we yearn for others to experience that too.
Application Questions: Think about how much you love to witness the smile of someone you love. Thank God that in Jesus you even now enjoy His friendly countenance. The psalmist yearned for others to know God (Psalm 67:2,7). How might God use you to spread His truth?
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