THE BLESSING OF THE LORD – “LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON THEE”

One of the greatest need of every human being is, the need for someone to pause, and pay attention to our plight, and listen to us, with patience, and to know our struggles and our storms, with compassion. Sadly, many a man finds it, not only difficult to find such people, in some cases, it is considered impossible. None wants to look at the other, with patience, kindness and compassion. Small wonder then, that David had to write these words, in Psalm 4…
– “6 There be many that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.” – Psalm 4:6

David always ran to God, sought His face, and took shelter under YAHWEH’s mighty wings of refuge. Nothing can be compared, to what God offers to anyone and everyone, who sincerely seeks Him. To know God’s heart, His love, His compassion, His grace and His mercy, we need to look at Numbers 6:22-26.
– “22 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 23 Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, 24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: 25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: 26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” – Numbers 6:22-26

For our meditation this morning, let us look at the fifth, of the six part blessing, that YAHWEH ordered to be pronounced, upon all His people – “THE LORD LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON THEE.”

I like the words from old English. One such word is, “COUNTENANCE” – which, very sadly, is out of ‘fashion’ these days. Words not only have meaning, but also, they have depth to its meaning. Countenance is a word with deeper and wider meaning, than most of the similar words. It conveys a whole lot, in just one single word. Also, it is a word that is often used in Bible…in the older versions.
– “For us, that word “countenance” refers especially to God. Outside of the worship service the word is seldom used. We talk about someone’s face, not about their countenance. When the countenance of God is spoken about, we understand that this is not a literal reference: a face with eyes, nose, mouth, but more a figurative reference: God himself—who and what he desires to be for us as people. God’s countenance is directly related to his love, his grace, his faithful care, but also his anger, when people turn their backs to him.” – C. W. Buijs

Now what is God wanting to tell us, when He put this blessing as part of His divine benediction – “THE LORD LIFT UP HIS COUNTENANCE UPON THEE.” The Almighty God is telling us clearly that, He is interested in us…that He cares for us…that He longs to shower upon us, all the good things. Lifting up of His countenance is to look at us with favour, grace and mercy. 
– “The “lifting up of the countenance” signifies God’s favor and attention. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a king lifting his face toward a subject indicated approval and goodwill. Biblically, God’s countenance represents His presence and blessing. This phrase suggests a personal and relational aspect of God’s interaction with His people, emphasizing His willingness to engage with them intimately. It echoes the idea of God being attentive and responsive, as seen in Psalm 4:6, where the psalmist asks for the light of God’s face to shine upon them. This is a precursor to the New Testament revelation of God’s grace through Jesus Christ, who embodies God’s ultimate favour and presence with humanity.” – Berean Study Bible Notes

Do we need anything else? Anything more than a God, who cares about us, and our welfare? Anything more than a God, who desires to listen to us, and hear about our struggles? Anything more than a God, who longs to help us, through all our trials, and all our storms? 

Let us meditate upon God’s goodness, grace and mercy towards us, that He chose to not only make His face to shine upon us, but chooses to look at us favourably and graciously, by lifting up His countenance upon us. Let us praise, thank and worship the LORD for all His goodness, grace and mercy towards us. May we always be grateful and thankful to Him who chose to make us His children. Even so, the LORD help us.