Psalm 42:5 “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.”
The countenance of God symbolizes the magnificence of His presence, His blessing, His holiness, or His favor. In regard to people, countenance often refers to the look of their face, showing joy, sadness, anger, or even kindness.
If we witness someone’s countenance, we might see a reflection of the soul or inner state. A persons countenance often reveals what lies within.
Proverbs 15:13 “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
When examining the effects of God’s countenance, we witness something truly remarkable. The God of Heaven and Earth who has existed throughout time and eternity, turns His face toward a person and changes them forever.
Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” ’
When God’s face shines upon the righteous it means His blessing, grace, and approval rests on them.
God’s countenance is a revelation of God’s position.
David declared how the presence of the Lord was his help. Out of the revelation came forth praise and honor. Moses gave a blessing to the people knowing that the countenance of the Lord brought peace among them. As God’s countenance is turned toward His people He observes their ways and tests them.
Psalm 11:7 “For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright.”
The righteousness of the faithful strikes a chord with the righteousness of God. It is through faithful obedience to God’s moral law that believers walk in tune with God’s nature. Obedience in righteousness is the expression of love the man or woman of God exhibits toward their redeemer.
For the wicked, when God brings judgement on their sin and rebellion it is something to be feared.
Psalm 11:4-6 “The Lord is in His holy temple,
The Lord’s throne is in heaven;
His eyes behold,
His eyelids test the sons of men.
The Lord tests the righteous,
But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
Upon the wicked He will rain coals;
Fire and brimstone and a burning wind
Shall be the portion of their cup.”
What we witness here is the reality of Hell. God tests His people in order to strengthen them, to bring wisdom and understanding, and to give them opportunity to respond faithfully. The wicked don’t need testing for they have already failed before the test could start. They cannot walk in righteousness because they have no power to do so. All that lies ahead is destruction.
God’s countenance might also test His people and reveal all that is not holy, His presence purifies and sanctifies them, leading them to become more like Christ.
A Glimpse of His Glory
When Jesus arose from the grave there was a moment outside the tomb that demonstrated the effect of God’s countenance upon angelic beings as witnessed by the people who were present.
Matthew 28:1-4 “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.”
The glory of God showed in the angels countenance. Jesus had fulfilled the requirement of the law by dying upon the cross and now He conquered death through His resurrection. For those who choose to follow Him, they are given new life… eternal life. The glory of God was made evident to the Roman soldiers who were present and in their terror they fell like dead men. The women who sought Him were afraid but the angel quickly assured them to not fear.
For the unrighteous, they have everything to fear. The righteous have been justified through Christ and their faith rests in Christ alone.
Two Worlds
The difference between the people of the world and the people of God are how they respond to God. The world shuns God’s judgement and cowers in fear before His presence, while the people of God seek Him and desire to dwell in His presence where there is peace.
Psalm 4:6-8 “There are many who say,
“Who will show us any good?”
Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.
You have put gladness in my heart,
More than in the season that their grain and wine increased.
I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
The Lord advocates for His people and protects them as a shepherd protects His flock. He guides and leads them along the path of righteousness and that eventually leads to Him.
When the righteous stumble and fall, it is the Lord to whom they run, for He is the One who restores.
Psalm 42:5 “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.”
With the presence of the Lord there is sureity.
When God’s people offend God in sin, there is a clear dissemination of removal from walking in His presence.
When the Lord hides His face, it represents displeasure and judgement for the offense of their sin.
Psalm 30:7 “LORD, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong; You hid Your face, and I was troubled.”
The Lord doesn’t compromise on holiness. He doesn’t bend the rules to accommodate cultural shifts or weaknesses. The mountain of the Lord represents His moral law and it is a revelation of His nature.
The Lord is holy…His Law is holy.
Isaiah 59:2 “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.”
To sin is to break His law. To sin is to offend God personally. When sin remains, it causes separation between the sinner and the One they offended.
The blessings of God are withheld from those who choose to walk in sin without repentance. His blessings and wrath are found within His countenance.
Psalm 90:7-8 “For we have been consumed by Your anger,
And by Your wrath we are terrified.
You have set our iniquities before You,
Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.”
There is no sin that escapes His sight. When the Lord shines His countenance upon the hearts of man, all is made known.
The Radiance of God
Jesus is the manifestation of God’s glory and countenance.
2 Corinthians 4:6 “For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”
Christ’s glory and grace reveals the countenance of God. Jesus walked among us, He took the form of a man that we might see God and know Him. It took incredible humility for Him to exchange His glory for a position that was despised by the world.
How great is the offense by those who reject so great a salvation?
For those who place their trust in Christ alone, they too will inherit the glory God revealed in them. The light of Christ in them becomes the light they shine to the world.
One day, all who love Him will behold His glory…not in shame but to everlasting life.
Revelation 22:4 “They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.”
God’s favor rests upon His people. His countenance is revealed in His people through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
Believers must let their light shine before others that Christ might be lifted up and glorify the Father in Heaven.
U.T. 