The Light of Your Face
Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? Know that the LORD has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him. Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD. Many, LORD, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. In peace I will lie down and sleep,for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Do you ever wonder if God hears your cries for help? There are times when I feel overwhelmed with stress, anxiety, and trouble and am asking the Lord for help. In Psalm 4 David expresses frustration with the people around him and their lack of response to God. They may have been slandering him or simply looking to him instead of the Lord. I have trouble understanding why people don’t acknowledge the Lord in their lives as well and I certainly get upset if they are saying bad things about me. In times like that, I sometimes treat them with impatience, frustration, and lack of love.
However, Psalm 8:4 says, “Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him.” What an amazing promise that those who seek the Lord are set apart by God for himself and that he hears our prayers! The Lord of heaven cares about my needs and sets me apart to know and love him. I don’t have to worry about things-I can trust him!
The Psalmist goes on to say, “Many, Lord, are asking, ‘Who will bring us prosperity?’ Let the light of your face shine on us. Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.” (vs. 6-7) When the light of God’s face shines on us it changes everything. It’s a sign of his favor. What a great prayer to pray!
Moses asked to see the Lord and he was told that he couldn’t see God’s face and live. He was allowed to look at the Lord’s back from a cleft of a rock. (Ex. 34:29-30) After that time he was glowing as he went around the community. People knew he had been with the Lord. When God’s face shines on us (figuratively) people know that we’ve been with the Lord.
David expresses that his confidence and joy are in the Lord in the final verses of Psalm 4. He asks the Lord to fill him with joy when those around him prosper. It’s easy to get jealous of others when they succeed but the Psalmist reminds us of what is most important. What or to whom do we look to for our first joy in life?
Once we realize that only God can satisfy-our priorities change. We esteem him above all else. We truly delight in the Lord.