“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” Numbers 6:24-26
This blessing, which God instructed the Levite priests to speak over the Children of Israel paints the picture of God turning His face to look at His people and bless them. The idea of a personal God not some distant deity was central to their identity as the chosen people of God. The image here is of God lifting them in His arms much in the same way as a delighted Father might pick up his child and look at them with joy.
Intimate relationship with God our Father is the only sure way to find peace. In God’s presence with His face turned toward us in love and grace, we can find true peace (shalom). The shalom of God is much more than just the absence of conflict but one of completeness, wholeness and reconciliation.
Our place as children of God, loved unconditionally by Him and confident of His care frees us to live a life that is not controlled by circumstance but one that relies on the grace of God. This week take time to look to God and know His peace; as the well-known song says, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace”.
May God turn His face to you today and give you peace.