Please help us share God's truths and hope in Christ.

One of the first things we notice about any human being we encounter is his or her  face.  Though Scripture teaches that God is a spirit and cannot be seen by human eyes, still the face of God is mentioned in many passages.  Just as we can discern quite a bit about someone by looking at their countenance, we can also learn much about God Himself as we look at His face as described in the Bible.

The first mention of God’s face in Scripture is when Lot was warned of the imminent destruction of Sodom by an angel who said, “For we will destroy this place because the outcry against them has grown great before the face of the Lord, and the Lord has sent us to destroy it.” (Gen. 19:13).  God’s face is also mentioned in Gen. 32:30, Jud. 6:22, Ps. 80:7, Is. 65:3, Jer. 49:11, Dan. 9:17, Lk. 1:76, 1 Cor. 13:12, 1 Pet. 3:12, and Rev 20:11, to name a few.  As we behold the face of God, please note four things we can learn about our our awesome God.

God’s Face Reveals His WATCHFULNESS

Jer. 16:17 says, “For My eyes are on all their ways; they are not hidden from My face, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes”.   Yes, Scripture clearly teaches that God is omniscient and omnipresent, meaning He knows everything and is everywhere present at all times.  He is all-knowing and all-seeing, and it doesn’t matter if it is out in the open, behind closed doors, or in daylight or darkness.  King David wrote in Ps. 139:11-12… “Even the night shall be light about me; indeed the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You”.  

God’s Face Reveals His WARMTH

Exodus 33:11 says… “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend”.  Deut. 34:10 records… “But since there has not risen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face”. 

Wow! Moses demonstrated how it is possible for a human being to have an intimate relationship with the all-powerful God of the universe!  Even though Scripture teaches that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Prov. 9:10), it also tells us it is amazingly possible for us to know God as a personal Friend!  Not only is God available to be our friend, He actually longs for us to come to him for fellowship.

Jer. 29:12 says… “Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you; and you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your  heart.”   Have you ever waited in suspense for a dear friend or loved one to return a phone call?   We wait eagerly to hear their voice. 


In more recent years, technology has enabled us to “FaceTime” one another.  So though we may be miles apart, we can actually see the face of our loved ones as we enjoy sweet fellowship.  And so it is, that as children of our Heavenly Father, we have access to the throne of grace where we can boldly come by faith, and through the person and blood of Jesus, speak face to face with the Most High God, who is both our Master and Friend.

 God’s Face Reveals His WILLINGNESS

*To Relieve Those who are Suffering.  

In Psalm 22:23-24, David wrote, “You who fear the Lord, praise Him…glorify Him…for He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; nor has He hidden His face from Him, but when he cried to Him, He heard.”  The Bible clearly teaches that God has a ‘soft spot’ for those who are hurting; the weak, downtrodden, oppressed peoples, the sick and sorrowing, the fatherless and widows, etc.  God will not hide His face from those who are hurting and lift their desperate cries unto Him.    

Horatio G. Spafford was a successful businessman who lost his earthly goods in the great Chicago fire in 1871.  While still trying to reestablish his business, he sent his wife and four daughters on a ship to Europe in 1873’, promising to meet them in France in a few weeks.  But on Nov. 22, 1873, the ship was rammed by an English vessel and sank in 2 hours.  226 lives were lost including all four of his daughters.  Nine days later, Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband these two words, “Saved Alone”.  As soon as he could, he  booked passage on another ship to Europe where he could join his grief-stricken wife.  While struggling with insomnia and sorrow, Spafford cast himself on the God of all comfort, and by faith penned these immortal words that Christians sing the world over… 

“When peace like a river  attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea-billows roll; 
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
‘It is well, it is well with my soul’”.  

Yes, God has not hidden His face from those who are suffering from affliction or grief.

*To  Restore those who are Straying.  

Second Chr.7:14 says… “If My people who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

While facing defeat in the daily struggle with the world, flesh, and devil, one may be tempted to throw in the towel and say, ‘What’s the use?  I can’t beat this; perhaps I’ll just as well live in sin and maybe even enjoy it for a while.  But the true believer can’t truly enjoy sin, and the indwelling Holy Spirit will not leave him alone.  And the Father awaits, calling us back to repentance and restoration.          

Remember the Prodigal Son?  After wasting his inheritance in riotous living, he came to his senses and returned to his father, humbly seeking permission to come home and declaring he was no longer worthy to be considered a son.  What happened?  The father’s face, turned to scan the horizon, saw his wayward son while he was still afar off, and he ran toward his inbound boy.  As his son repented, demonstrating a broken spirit and contrite heart, the father joyfully received him, restored him, and celebrated his return.  Perhaps you have been straying from your Heavenly Father, wasting your God-given time, talents and treasure in selfish, carnal living.  Come home!  Your Father’s face is turned toward you in love, and He calls you back to humbly return, repent, be reconciled and rededicate yourself to doing His good, acceptable and perfect will for your life.

*To Rescue those who Need Saving.  

Ps. 34:16,18 says… “The face of the Lord is against those who do evil…The Lord is near those who have a broken heart and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” 

To be candid, every one of us has done evil.  We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory and mark of perfection.  And the consequences of our sin is death, physical and eternal, separated from God forever in Hell.  But I’m so thankful that the Lord loves to rescue those who need saving, and that is me and you.   

 Yes, God’s face is against those who do evil and will not repent, but He is ready and willing to rescue the perishing souls who will humbly turn from their sin and commit themselves to trust and follow the Lord Jesus.  

God’s Face Will Reveal His WRATH

Listen to these sobering words found in Rev. 6:15-17… 

“And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, and every slave and every freeman, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, ‘Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; for the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand’?”  

Near the end of the Bible, the Great White Throne Judgment is described…

”Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” (Rev 20:11)

There are no words to describe how horrible it will be to stand among the vast multitudes of unbelievers who will be exposed for their sinful acts and attitudes in explicit detail, be indicted for their rejection of Christ as Lord and Savior, receive dreaded confirmation that their name is absent from the Book of Life, then to be cast helplessly and hopelessly into the Lake of Fire where there is no escape and unending torment in fire and outer darkness.  But it need not be that way. “The Lord…is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pet. 3:9 ).  We are told in 1 Tim. 2:4 that God… “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”  So God, in His mercy and grace sent Jesus.

What will you do with Jesus?

Many years ago, hymn writer A.B. Simpson penned these words… 

“What will you do with Jesus?  Neutral you cannot be;
Someday your heart will be asking, ‘What will He do with me’?”  

Yes, we can learn quite a lot from looking at the face of God.  We have seen that his face reveals His…Watchfulness…Warmth…Willingness…and Wrath.  We would all do well to comply with the Scripture that enjoins us to humble ourselves and pray, and seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways; then He will hear our prayers, forgive our sins, and heal our land.

*******

We Need Your Help 
If Reasons for Hope* Jesus has blessed you,
please consider supporting our ministry.

 Jesus is the Reason this Ministry Exists
But YOU make it possible!
As an online biblical resource ministry, your goodwill and generosity keep us going in our mission to equip, encourage, and empower the body of Christ and reach the lost with the gospel of saving grace.

Your help is truly needed and greatly appreciated.
Did you know..it's easy to set up monthly giving?
And it helps us meet our budget!
 donate
Reasons for Hope*Jesus is a 501c3 Ministry
Use a Credit Card or PayPal for safe, secure giving.

*******

***A Hidden Message in Psalm 23?***  

Hidden in the six verses of Psalm 23 are 11 names for Jesus.  When you subscribe to our newsletter, we’ll send you The Names of God in Psalm 23 PDF that reveals all 11 names and Scripture verses of comfort and hope (link will be sent in your confirmation email).

 Hear, See, Speak No Evil -- A Practical Guide for Guarding the Mind --  This book will cause you to think before you speak, to close your eyes to that which you should not behold, and to stop listening to the lies of the world and the evil one.  Learn to guard your gates and process everything according to God’s perfect will and by His Word. The three little monkeys, Hear, See, and Speak No Evil, can teach us a lot. And there’s a fourth monkey that can help stop the spread of ungodly thinking and living in our world.

The Top Ten Got Questions? in 2023 

  1. The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
  2. Was Jesus CRUCIFIED on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
  3. How was Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the CRIMSON (OR SCARLET) WORM in Psalm 22?
  4. How are the Shepherd’s ROD and STAFF Different?
  5. How long did JOB SUFFER?
  6. What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS? And were they kings?
  7. Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 DAYS AFTER JESUS’ BIRTH? Or Was It Much Later?
  8. Jesus’ Last Days TIMELINE: the Cross and the Resurrection
  9. The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
  10. Did Jesus Fight Satan to Take Back the KEYS of Death and Hell?

There is much to be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith.  Check out our Cloud of Witnesses category that features the words of departed saints who are now with the Lord in glory.  Their words equip and encourage us even to this day.  Take a few minutes to hear...

  1. ONLY ONE LIFE, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
  2. “The Love of God is Greater Far” by Frederick M. Lehman (1917)
  3. Prayers from Billy Graham
  4. Who Was Robert Robinson? What’s the Story Behind “Come Thou Fount”
  5. “Immanuel” — A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
  6. Who Am I? A Poem by Deitrich Bonhoeffer (1905-1945)
  7. Understanding the Everlasting Arms of God, by J.R. Miller (1840–1912)
  8. 24 Reasons Why I Love America, by John Wayne (1907-1979)
  9. Give Me Perpetual Broken-heartedness (from The Valley of Vision)
  10. Abide with Me, by James Smith, 1859

This remains one of our most popular pages viewed.

Reasons for Hope* Jesus video banner

TOP TEN Videos from Reasons for Hope* Jesus
  1. Memorial Day BAGPIPES TRIBUTE: Amazing Grace 
  2. RISE AND SHINE and Give God the Glory, Glory!
  3. WERE YOU THERE When They Crucified My Lord?
  4. PAUL HARVEY: THE BIRDCAGE
  5. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: A SOLDIER'S PLEDGE
  6. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing -- CHARLIE BROWN Christmas
  7. JOHN WAYNE ~ WHY I LOVE AMERICA
  8. Jimmy Stewart - Nativity Scene Prayer: Mr. Krueger's Christmas
  9. THE LEGEND OF THE CANDY CANE - A Christmas Story to Share 
  10. Not by Might, Not by Power, But BY MY SPIRIT says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6)

*****************

Please help us share God's truths and hope in Christ.

SubscribeNow!

The goal of Reasons for Hope* Jesus is to help you establish your heart and anchor your soul in Jesus, and renew your mind in His Word.

 

Get equipped with knowledge!

Be encouraged in hope!

Live empowered with love! 

You have Successfully Subscribed!