January 31: Look Full in His Wonderful Face

From: Opened Treasures By: Frances Ridley Havergal

• 1 min. read • grade level: 8

SA 4:6{Thus the light of His countenance shall save us. In Psa. 44:3,³For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor unto them. (Psalm 44:3) we see it as the means of past salvation, and in Psa. 42:5,⁵Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Psalm 42:5) the Psalmist anticipates praise for its future help; while the two are beautifully linked by the marginal reading of the latter, which makes it present salvation: "Thy presence is salvation." Then follows peace. The waves are stilled, and the storm-clouds flee away noiselessly and swiftly and surely, when He lifts up the light of His countenance upon us, and gives us peace. For this uplifting is the shining forth of His favor—the smile instead of the frown; and as we walk in the light of it, the peace will grow into joy, and we shall be even here and now exceeding glad with His countenance, while every step will bring us nearer to the resurrection joy of Christ Himself, saying with Him, "Thou shalt make me full of joy with Thy countenance." So we shall find day by day, that in the light of the King's countenance is cleansing, salvation, peace and joy—and do not these make up life, the new life, the glad life of the children of the King?

The fullness of His blessing encompasseth our way;

The fullness of His promises crowns every brightening day;

The fullness of His glory is beaming from above,

While more and more we realize the fullness of His love.