RADIANCE OF JOY

They looked to Him and were RADIANT, and their FACES were not ashamed – Psalm 34:5

Psalm 34 exudes the spirit of exuberant confidence and unflinching faith in God. Hear the Psalmist in the first verse: “I will bless the LORD at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” To David, praising God was not an option but a compulsion. He “willed” to “bless the Lord AT ALL TIMES…CONTINUALLY…”! He described the LORD as the One who “delivered me from all my fears” (v.4). His heart was filled with the reality of His God.

David affirmed that those who look up to God with a heaven-born confidence reflect the light of His countenance so that they become RADIANT (v.5). What this simply means is that: the INNER JOY bubbles over and reveals itself in their eyes and face. The ultimate Source of Joy is the LORD Jesus Christ. Looking unto Him guarantees access into the radiance of Joy. Hebrews 12:2 confirms this: “LOOKING UNTO JESUS the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the JOY that was set before Him…” True Joy is released and revealed as you focus on the Face of the Pioneer and Perfecter of your Faith.

The face is a mirror of the heart. Do people see the reality and radiance of the Joy of the Lord in your eyes and your face? Take a look in your mirror and in the Mirror of the Word. What kind of testimony does your face radiate for your Lord and Saviour? Does your face reflect Joy and Gratitude or is it succumbing to the world’s stress, strain, pressures, and pain? Is your face proclaiming a testimony of Triumph or telling tales of troubles and tragedies?

Is your face radiating the glow of joy and gladness or is it shrouded in gloom and sadness? Do you display the countenance of a Victor or a victim? Is the radiance of Joy on your face drawing others to your Saviour or is its dullness repelling many? Paul admonishes in Philippians 4:5 that you let your countenance express the fact that “the Lord is near”. Beloved, you can be the radiant Christian the Lord redeemed you to be, shining like light amidst the world’s darkness (Phil.2:15).