Epaggelia

Both of these Psalms sound alike. As we read all the Psalms, we start to recognize certain phrases being repeated and many of the words in Psalm 67 & 80 are very much alike. This is a reminder that whenever you find God repeating himself, take note! Don’t miss it’s importance.

“that your way be known on earth, your saving power among all nations” Here is the purpose of God’s blessing, which we should be desiring with all our heart. Psalm 67:2 cries out for this towards the world, and Psalm 80:19 cries out for this towards Israel. When do we pray for God’s blessing towards the lost, or restoration of our own weakest members? When Jesus arrived, this was the primary point of his ministry, “to seek & save the lost”, Luke 19:10. He made sure the blessing of his saving power was at the core of His great commission, first recorded in Matthew 28:18-20. His apostles faithfully obeyed this message to their death, with glory being reflected to this day. The same glory lay in His message commissioned in our hearts today, you are living letters being written and read by a lost world, 2nd Corinthians 3:2-3. Do you believe the light of the world is the Spirit of Christ which writes his law of faith on human hearts?

The “shining face of God” is a repetitive phrase, connected with God’s blessing upon those He shines upon! This fact appears in Numbers 6:25, Psalm 31:16, 67:1, 80:3,7,19, 119:135 and also in Daniel 9:17. Where does the full impact of this kind of blessing become so obvious? In Jesus, as Paul describes the light of the world inside the heart of Christians (2nd Corinthians 4:6), Physically it was literally seen by Peter, James & John on the mountain top when Jesus was transfigured, Matthew 17:2. This will happen for each and every faithful child of God throughout the ages, when we gather together in Heaven!

The face of God is very important to Jesus, as he describes angels always watching God’s face. Matthew 18:10. As if our angels can’t bare to watch our own foolish and dangerous ways, but that God’s face will reflect the light which is needed to turn us from our darkened ways. Our angels are peering into the revealing ways God works to spread his good news into the hearts of lost sheep. Factually, most of 2nd Corinthians 3:7-18 is all about how great the glory of God is, while this ministry of righteousness in Christ is being spread. We too, should be desirous and prayerful to look into ways we can reflect the light of the world, so that others can be freed. Why?  Because… “the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” ~ 1st Peter 3:12.

This glorious light (which is spiritual and permanent right now for Christians) will one day be obvious. John brings the Revelation of Christ to a close with this vision in the future. Revelation 22:1-5 proclaims that people of all nations will receive healing from the leaves on the tree of life and while in near His Throne, we will see his face…and night will be no more! By His light will the nations walk and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it”, (21:23-24) where never anything accursed will enter.

This is worth praying for, singing about and repeating, everytime we meet together to worship Christ!