Psalm 119:58

Psalm 119:58

Seeking His face

It seems a bit of an impossible task – to seek God’s face I mean. How can we seek something that we know from the outset is invisible? And yet this is a familiar quest in the Bible, we often quote and find comfort from 2 Chronicles 7:14, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 

The Hebrew word for face in the Old Testament can be translated “presence.” Now things start to make more sense! Those Israelites who so regularly abandoned the Lord God were being reminded to seek again the presence of God and the psalmist lets it be known that this is his constant quest. When you think about it, a person’s face reveals a great deal about their character and personality even, maybe, their circumstances or lifestyle. The more we seek the face of God and the more we spend time in His presence, the more like Him we will become. 

Is this not the true nature of worship? Is this not the purpose of our prayers and our time spent in the study of God’s Word – to find intimacy in a close relationship with our God?

James writes, “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8.

The High Priestly blessing, spoken daily over God’s people says, “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26.

It is important that we make this our quest and Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit to help us in this. But there is an element of humility required here as today’s verse reminds us. We need to remember who God is and instead of making demands, we ask that He will be gracious to us, according to His promise. 

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