Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord. There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound. In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
PSALM 4
“I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.”
NUMBERS 24:17
How many prayers of help have you uttered in the previous year? The past week? The past hour? Have you wondered if God sees? Or worse yet - maybe God does see, but perhaps He does not care? Advent is the answer. Not only does God see and know, but He cares deeply. Because He has given us a High Priest - the One who stands between God and man - who is able to sympathize with us in all our weakness. One who was tempted in every way, and yet without sin. For the follower of Jesus, we never have to fear the turning away of God toward us. Because Christ bore our sin on the cross - that which God cannot bear to look upon - the light of God’s face is continually upon us. Thanks be to God.
How can you set your face toward Him today? How might you rest with His loving gaze upon you?