The Shining Face Of God (Psalm 80:19)

 


Saturday, 4 October, 2025


Psalm 80

1 Kings 19:9-21

Matthew 10:28-42


Observance: Francis of Assisi, friar and preacher (d. 1226)


The Shining Face Of God (Psalm 80:19)


Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!
    Let your face shine, that we may be saved!


The Bible is filled with blessings, and it is a good practise for the Christian to try and remember as many of them as possible, and pull them out often to bless others. One of our favourites has to be the Aaronic blessing:


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)


This idea of the shining face of God is repeated in today’s Psalm, and repeated often; if the Psalm is a song, then this is it’s chorus.


A shining face is such suggestive language. Is it shining because of the light that pours out of God? Is the shine pointing towards the idea that God is the source of life? Or is it like the turn of phrase in our own language, that for a face to shine means for the face to smiling and full of joy? Maybe it’s all of them; and it is more probable that it is all that and more.


As a Christian, someone who is saved by grace, washed clean in the blood of Christ, and an adopted child of God, God’s face shines upon you. How will it shine upon you today?


O Shepherd of Israel, you lead us as your flock, your face shining on us as we rejoice in your love: lead us along the path of the good works you have prepared for us, that we may always enjoy your grace and peace.


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