Good Morning Friends,
Let’s be honest. A relationship with God is a priceless experience. Jesus compares it to the Kingdom of God… a treasure of great value. Moses experienced it and it physically changed him. The Glory of God is perhaps one of the most amazing revelations of God and the best investment of time and energy we can make in our lives. To get to know and to get a glimpse of and to understand even a little of God’s Glory can be the deepest, most profound and life changing experiences ever. It was the Glory of God that transformed Moses when he came face to face with love, and we too need to turn our perspective to the redemption when offered. I know what this is for me, but I wonder, What Activates Sparkling Eyes And A Shining Face For You?
Scripture: Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; but whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Exodus 34:29-35 (NRSV)
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:44-46 (NRSV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;
Matthew 5:38-39 (NRSV)
Message: Turning the other cheek is a phrase in Christian doctrine from the Sermon on the Mount that refers to responding to injury without revenge and some say allowing more injury. This passage is variously interpreted as accepting one’s predicament, commanding nonresistance, or advocating Christian pacifism. But that approach misses the focus of the message. A slap in the face is not a mortal blow. It is about relationships and turning the other cheek is about the redemption of a relationship and more specifically being an example of how God responds to us in relationship. The face is about the nature of the relationship. Bright eyes and a glowing face like turning the other cheek is an invitation.
When Moses came down from the mountain, Moses did not even know that the skin of his face shone yet the people saw in his face the love and glory of God. It was so overpowering that they could not look on him. Because Moses had given himself so completely to God’s presence on that mountain, his face shone with the radiance of Christ’s glory. When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, Jesus shone with the love and radiance of the glory of God. Peter, James, and John were so astonished by the presence of God’s glory that they were nearly stupefied. They knew, though they could not altogether understand it or articulate it, that they were in the presence of God. It all reminds me of Jesus praying before the crucifixion. So too for us in preparation for our interaction in society with the tasks we have been assigned, we need to know that people look at our faces too. Every single day we can show the face of the love and glory of God. It requires however that we dwell for a time in the presence and love of God. Even one glance, one moment of intention, one instant of communion, even a little smile in the presence of God, has the power to completely transfigure us and that can spill over into the lives of others. Even though we do not know that the skin of our face can shine, know that if it is of God, it might just be the greeting others find in their lives that begins the transformation in them.
And So, the last several days we have been reflecting on the character of God in our prayers and how the Kingdom of God grows in and through us when we do. It is here that we realize that God does not want us to waste our lives away but wants us to have a relationship that transforms us from the inside out. God wants us to live every day of our lives with a purpose and a great Kingdom return on investment that reflects the glory of God. God wants us to turn our lives over in faith fully. The goal… the desire we are to have, as followers of Jesus, is to invest our time wisely in a relationship with God. Moses prayed that God would show him His glory. David confessed that like the deer pants for water at a brook, his soul pants for God. Paul says that his heart longs to know God and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of the heavenly call. Friends, the greatest desire we are to have is to know God. And that is the best investment we will ever make. So, think about what it means to be in a relationship with Jesus. Be honest. Self-reflection is not easy, we are so needy, but it is necessary to move forward in the faith toward the goal. So, move from anticipation to knowledge to ministry and a relationship of love. God has promised a blessing for those that do. We have the promise that God will reward us for hard work done for God’s glory. If we expect a miracle that glorifies God, we will receive a blessing. All in faithfulness in Jesus will be rewarded and sometimes in surprising ways. God tells us we will be rewarded, so go all out in living your life believing that the best investment we will ever make is to have a relationship with God. Knowing Jesus Christ as our Savior and serving him as our Lord is worth any cost, because nothing is of greater value. God knows what you are really expecting. Are you all in? Does your face and eyes share the message of redemption and the joy of a relationship with God?
Pray we forego retaliation for personal offenses against us. Pray we search for God and be willing to go where God is found resting in the reality that God is in control. Pray we spend time alone with God. Pray we experience God’s presence. Pray we share with God what is in our heart and mind. Pray we worship God. Pray we realize that we cannot stay on a mountaintop experience but need to finish what God would have us do to help others. Pray we let our light shine as an intercession for all those we meet. Pray we be reflectors of God’s glory. Pray we realize that God does want to do a great work in us and through us. Pray we realize that our purpose is to Glorify God and that means that God’s glory needs to shine forth in our countenance. Pray we share a smile for God. Pray we share the words of our faith but also be a witness without words. Pray that we count all things to be a loss that are not worthy of witness to God. Pray that what started at the cross is sanctified in our lives. Pray that we embrace not the power of the world, but the power of knowing the resurrected Christ. Pray that we claim the prize…. knowing what it is like to live resurrected lives. Pray we make the best uses of the choices we have. Pray we trust Jesus to guide us. Pray we follow in faith. Pray we invest in the only thing that will last. Pray we glorify God in love. Pray we turn the other cheek to prompt redemption in our lives and in the lives of those around us.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 