May God be gracious to us and bless us and
make his face shine on us.
Psalm 67:1
This opening verse of Psalm 67 is more than a wish for personal blessing—it is a plea for God’s radiant presence to be seen in and through His people. It echoes the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:24–26, where God instructed Moses to have Aaron bless the people with words that spoke of divine grace, protection, and peace. But the psalmist here adds a missional tone: Shine on us, Lord—not just for our sake, but so that the world might see You in us.
Charles Spurgeon reflects, “This is the common benediction we desire for ourselves—not only mercy, but the light of God’s countenance.” That light isn’t just for warming our own souls; it’s meant to spill over into a world in darkness. Eugene Peterson captures the simplicity and intimacy of the verse when he paraphrases it, “God, mark us with grace and blessing! Smile!”
God’s “face shining” suggests nearness, delight, and presence. It’s not a promise to remove all struggle, but to be with us, guiding, sustaining, and making His character visible. When we seek this kind of blessing, we become vessels of God’s goodness—not reservoirs but rivers.
Prayer:
Lord, may Your grace rest on me today—not just for my comfort, but that others may see Your light through me. Let Your face shine on me, so Your love may shine through me. Amen.
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