Psalm 34
A few years ago God did an amazing thing in me. He opened my eyes a little further. He changed my mindset. He breathed new life into me.
And in that process, He changed my countenance.
I remember being at an event and someone I hadn't seen in a while came up to me and marvelled.
"You have a glow about you. Something is different. I can see it in your face."
Her words struck me to the core, and my heart fluttered.
She could see the difference in the glow of my face.
My face reflecting His glory.
I felt covered in a holy mantle.
I felt radiant.
Radiant is ~ sending out light.
Radiant is ~ shining or glowing brightly.
I had the glow.
I was radiant.
God's Word attests to that fact in Psalm 34:5.
"Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with JOY." (NLT)
Oh, I had looked to Him, that's for sure.
I was looking at Him.
I still am.
2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "So all of us who have had that veil removed, can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord - who is the Spirit - makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image." (NLT)
He is glorious. Full of glory. Magnificent. Having great beauty. Having high renown.
And I can reflect Him.
I can be radiant with the JOY of the Lord.
Trust is another JOY giver.
"Oh, the JOYS of those who trust in Him!" (Ps. 34:8, NLT)
I desire this JOY. This radiance. This trusting relationship with God.
"The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter till the full light of day." (Proverbs 4:18, NLT)
There is light in Him, in His ways.
In light, there is hope, freedom, vision and JOY.
Light shines through the dark.
Radiance.
I can be light, hope and JOY to others when God is Light, Hope and JOY to me, and in me.
I can wear it as my countenance.
I can radiate God Himself.
Any of the righteous can.
Shining brighter and brighter until the full light of day.
The Christmas carol, "Silent Night" has a line in it that says, " ... Son of God, love's pure Light; radiant beams from Thy holy face ... " (Joseph Mohr - lyricist)
Joseph Mohr knew it too. Assigning radiant beams coming from the face of the newborn Jesus was brilliant imagery. Brilliant truth.
Lesson in the journey ~ My joyful countenance reflects my joyful God.
