His light makes His people shine

A friend shared that when she became a Christian, people told her that it was obvious; she had a shining face. I’ve met people like that. They are filled with the Spirit of God and He writes Himself on their faces. If anyone mentions it, they are puzzled, unaware of the impression they give.

Tozer describes having the same experience. These people have a humility and gentleness of spirit yet are oblivious to the impact they have on others. Moses was one of them . . . 

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God.” (Exodus 34:29)

This is not about any other qualification than the person with the shining face has been in the presence of God. Once we sat in an adult Sunday school class with 2-3 men who had degrees in theology and one elderly lady — whose English was poor, but she was rich in wisdom. All of us learned more from her than anyone else. She was shiny of face, but more than that, her heart for God shone into our hearts.

I came to devotions this morning feeling needy. An unsaved friend is coming over to spend most of the day and I asked God to tell me what I need to hear, to give me instruction for this day. He tells me through this reading to focus on Him and let His Presence by my strength. I may not feel strong, but mirrors do not have to feel anything; they simply reflect.

Tozer’s words call me: “Nothing is necessary for you in maintaining a triumphant Christian life but just to . . .  put yourself in where the power is. Come unto God, unite yourself to God, and the doing power you have is infinite!”

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14–16)

^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, I have about 30 minutes before the doorbell rings. Be as real to me as I can handle that I might be to my guest whatever it is that she needs for this day.

Prayer changes things . . . and me

A friend told us that before she became a Christian, she knew the people who were Christians because they had shiny faces. Those glowing believers were in good company . . .

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. (Exodus 34:29)

The posters say “Prayer Changes Things.” The Bible and our lives are filled with examples. This morning’s illustration is the conversion of Paul. God encountered him in blinding light, literally, and he was led to a house. In the meantime, God also gave instruction to a man named Ananias to go and minister to this newly saved but newly blinded man. “So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized . . .” (Acts 9:17–18)

A prayerful touch restored Saul/Paul’s sight, but Christians know that prayer also changes the one who is praying. Here are two of hundreds of examples from Scripture . . .

Our soul waits for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. (Psalm 33:20–21)

The psalmist waiting on God and was not only helped but made glad. I can say amen to that, for almost always the biggest impact prayer has on me is to restore my trust and fill me with joy.

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. (Psalm 62:1–2)

Waiting on God also produces a serene spirit. It shows in the faces of those who pray, like it did on the face of Moses. Last Sunday, we sat at brunch with some friends and noticed that all four of them simply shone. Their conversation also made obvious that they had spent time with the Lord and verified the glow on their faces.

But there is more. Spending time with God helps me get His perspective on life, and therefore changes the way that I think. It can move my mind to eternal values, and put the things of earth in their proper place . . .

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1–4)

As an artist, I try to keep superior examples of art on my walls, even on the desktop of my computer. This sets before me a high standard. Being with Jesus does the same thing. He puts His perfection before me. The world can bombard me with its distractions and temptations, but time focused on Jesus and with Him can keep my heart and mind on loftier things. Prayer is hiding in the fortress of the Lord, safe from those thoughts and allurements that could pull me down, rob me of joy, and take the shine off my face. 

A Christian Countenance

A friend tells that before she became a Christian, she knew who believed in Jesus because they had shiny faces. For some unknown reason, after she believed, she was no longer able to see that glow.
 

The first mention of a shiny face is in Exodus. Moses had led God’s people out of slavery in Egypt. They were in the wilderness on their way to the land He had promised them when God summoned Moses to go up a mountain and meet with Him. There God gave this man His commandments. When Moses returned, he found that the people had sinned by creating a golden calf and worshiping it. He destroyed the first set of commands, interceded for his people, and God renewed the covenant again on the mountain.

When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. (Exodus 34:29)

This happened in the New Testament also. A disciple named Stephen was said to be “full of grace and power” and doing wonders and signs among the people. Those who disputed with him “could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”

Then they secretly instigated men who said, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.” And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel. (Acts 6:11–15)

Last Sunday our pastor preached a sermon about hope and the future glory that God has promised His people. I looked across the aisle at a friend and noticed that her face was shining. Afterwards, she exclaimed her delight in this message and being reminded of what God has prepared for us. 

Today’s devotional reading is one sentence. It says, “The face is made every day by its morning prayer, and by its morning look out of windows which open upon Heaven.” For me, this means getting up each day and spending my first hours in the Word of God and in prayer. It means turning my heart and mind toward the promises of God and thinking deeply about all He has done and is doing. By this, God can change any anxious thoughts or even remnants of nastiness from the previous day or bad dreams from the night. Just thinking about Him and His goodness changes my countenance, but it also changes my attitude and outlook.

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Lord, I cannot see any glow on my own face, but that is not as important as being aware of Your grace and presence and letting it affect the thoughts and attitudes of my heart. Thank You for granting me time with You each morning and throughout the day. Thank You for Your power to set the agenda of my heart and fill it with joy.