Does God hide his face from us? (Psalm 27:9)
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; have mercy and be gracious to me and answer me! 8 You have said, Seek My face [inquire for and require My presence as your vital need]. My heart says to You, Your face (Your presence), Lord, will I seek, inquire for, and require [of necessity and on the authority of Your Word]. 9 Hide not Your face from me; turn not Your servant away in anger, You Who have been my help! Cast me not off, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation! 10 Although my father and my mother have forsaken me, yet the Lord will take me up [adopt me as His child].
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Tim Maas
Supporter
The Bible speaks of God's "face" as a metaphor for His favor toward believers. The passage that comes first to my mind in that regard is the familiar blessing or benediction from Numbers 6:24-26, which contains the phrases, "The LORD make His face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee. The LORD lift up His countenance [that is, His face] upon thee, and give thee peace." By contrast, then, the withdrawal of God's favor caused by His displeasure over individuals' actions, or their unrepentant sin, can be symbolically regarded as God turning His face away, or "hiding" it. However, in mercy, God has provided for the forgiveness of human sin through our repentance and faith in Christ's incarnation, atoning death, and resurrection.
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