Hovering over a verse in one of David’s songs, this morning. Tempo’s up beat. Lyrics are uplifting. It’s a song written when the going’s gone good, when the battle’s been won, when the enemies have been defeated. It’s a song of rejoicing.

But what grabs me is that David’s joy is not ultimately sourced in being given “his hearts desires” (v.2), nor is it that he’s been met with “rich blessings” (v.3) — though, I’m sure that doesn’t hurt. No, David’s gladness is not solely found in his circumstance but ultimately in God’s countenance.

For You [O LORD] make him most blessed forever;
       You make him glad with the joy of Your presence.
For the king trusts in the LORD,
       and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

(Psalm 21:6-7 ESV)

The joy of Your presence . . . that’s the circumstance negating, season of life equalizing phrase I’m chewing on this morning. Literally, it’s joy by Your face.

How can joy not be known if it’s true that, for those who trust in Him, the LORD gives us His face and not His back? How can a sense of well-being not be well-experienced if we truly know that the sovereign God of creation is engaged and not indifferent? How can the things of earth not grow faintly dim in the light of His glory and grace, supplanted by the invasion of Almighty occupancy? Yes Lord, You make me glad with the joy of Your face!

His face seen through the revelation of the Scriptures. His face seen in knowing Jesus. His face illuminated through the inner agency of the Holy Spirit who works within us to experience 20/20 spiritual vision.

“Lift up the light of Your face upon us, O LORD!”      (Psalm 4:6 ESV)

Your face, Lord, show us Your face! In times of victory, in times of defeat. In seasons of elation, in seasons of sorrow. For then there will be gladness with joy.

O, to know always the joy of His face. To know the blessing God has for His people.

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 6:24-26 ESV)

By His grace. For His glory.