FAVOUR – GOD’S SMILE

The LORD make His FACE SHINE upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: – Numbers 6:25

Favour is the essence of the Aaronic Blessing in Numbers 6:24-26. It is that incredible experience where God smiles, shines His face and fixes His gaze upon you, flooding the very details of your life with His blessings! This was the Psalmist’s prayer: “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause His face to shine upon us” (Psa.67:1). This metaphor of God’s shining and smiling face conveys both His pleasure (His delight) and His blessing. It might have been based on the imagery of how a smile “lights up” one’s face or the shining of the sun. When God’s face shines on you, He pours His goodness and grace – His favour – into your life.

Cease seeing God as continually frowning on you, holding a heavy cane above your head. Yes, God is of purer eyes than to behold evil and iniquity (Hab.1:13). He is displeased with disobedience, sin and unrighteousness; but the good news is that He is also the God of forgiveness, grace, mercy and favour. In Christ, God loves us, delights in us and seeks to bless us – His beloved children. Our lives can take on a new meaning if we lived each day with the image of God’s shining, smiling face inscribed on our souls. Let us meditate on and prophesy the blessings of favour encapsulated in these eternal lines:

“On this wise I declare the Blessing of Favour upon you:

The Lord bless you, and keep you.
The Lord make His Face shine on you, and be gracious unto you.
The Lord beam His Gaze upon you, and be merciful unto you.
The Lord turn His Face toward you and give you peace.
The Lord smile on you and show you His delight and pleasure.
The Name of the Lord rest upon you, reign in your life and confirm His overflowing blessing…in Jesus name!