Reflecting His Radiance
“Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame” (Psalm 34:5).
“Guy goes into a bar with a duck under his arm. Bartender says, “Where’d you get the pig?” Guy says, “This is a duck.” Bartender says, “I was talking to the duck.” So goes Rodney Dangerfield’s impression of faces at a bar.
British born poet W. H. Auden’s was grimmer. In his poem “September 1, 1939” (the day Nazi Germany invaded Poland) Auden wrote about “faces along the bar” and how they reflect the lives of their owners, “who have never been happy or good.” Auden’s insights were accurate.
While some eyes dance with wisdom more seem weary looking for answers. Smiles lurk on the lips of many but far more carry snarls. And who would deny these days that creased furrows of worry are found on more foreheads than smooth muscled contentment.
David recognized that faces, even his own, do tell a story. “Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame” (Psalm 34:5). David had just feigned insanity before King Achish of Gath so this jealous and hostile king would not harm him. As a result, the giant slayer is released but he no doubt feels anything but giant before God. Fear trumped faith. Guilt grease globs the axle of his heart. His face has fallen in shame like a bad soufflé. What in your life, still to this day, causes your face to be crestfallen in shame when you call it to mind?
David’s Spirit-given solution is simple but powerful. “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). David believed looking to the LORD changes the way you look. In the past fear had contorted David’s features and shame darkened his face. The burden of unforgiven sin had shown the heaviness of unrelieved remorse.
But when one looks into the face of Christ one sees the glory of his free forgiveness. “‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the LORD. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool’” (Isaiah 1:18). Nothing makes a worried frown that dreads discovery disappear faster than Jesus saying to you, “I forgive you!” David’s description of such a face is “radiant.”
Think wedding. In 38 years of ministry, I have seen my share of brides. Honestly, I can say I have never seen an ugly bride. Grooms - that’s a different story!! We all acknowledge that brides are beautiful on their wedding day because how do we finish this sentence? “The bride looked ______________!” But when was she most radiant? Answer: When she looked right in the face of her groom. You are his bride. Jesus is your groom. Look in his face often and glow.
