Numbers 6:24-26
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[a] upon you and give you peace.
Shine means to give out a bright light.
God’s light, shining out of his face, onto you!! What an interesting blessing, but what is it? It is a blessing of evangelism. Spreading the good news of Jesus. When God’s face shines on you, you shine God to others. Spreading theGospel.
The shiny moon does not give off it’s own light, it can’t. There is no light produced from it. The moon merely reflects the sun’s light. Human beings produce no light either. What light we give off as Christians is from thereflection of the Son’s light (like the moon reflecting the sun’s light).
When I first went to the mission field, a mental patient told me I was shiny. I get told that a lot down here either because I am bald or because I am the only tanless one in the tropics. I choose to believe, however, that it is because I have let Jesus into my heart, to dwell within me. His Holy Spirit comforts me and I reflect His shining light.
Followers of Christ shine His love to a lost and dying world. This ‘shine’ calls attention to us whether we want it to or not. People who have to hope see hope in us. People living in turmoil see peace in us. Thieves, users, and con-artists see us as weak and vulnerable. Beggars and desperate people see us as relief. The intellectuals and grouches see us as naively annoying. Don’t try to hide it! Jesus commands us in the beatitudes to SHINE.
Matthew 5:16 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
God shines His face on you so you can show Him to others. The reason we show what we do so much, is to glorify God. When we feed a child, God is glorified. Plus, we are making it possible for God to shine His face on others, giving them salvation as well. When we do good things, we are reflecting God’s light.
God’s light is to save men, to give them eternal life. Most of the time, salvation starts by showing others God’s love for them. Very rarely does it have to do with our words, but by our works and actions.
ISAIAH 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.
Jesus is the shining light in everyone’s dark storms. He shines through us.
You all have been a bright light of blessing and hope for so many. Your giving, prayers, and assistance for every facet of our ministry have made an amazing difference.
We shine brightest when we shine together.
John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have thelight of life.
Dean
