“Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!” -Psalm 31:16
There are echoes of the benediction we often receive from the minister at the conclusion of the covenant renewal service on the Lord’s Day. It is the familiar words God told Moses to tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of God with.
“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” -Numbers 6:22–26
Here, David seeks this familiar blessing. This reminds us that these words are not just rote cliches the minister recites on the Lord’s day. It is the blessing of God we too should seek. For the Lord’s face to shine on us means to have his favor. It means we are the recipients of the munificence of his grace. It means we are possessors of the peace which passes all understanding.
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:7