The Value of a Smile

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘Thus you shall bless the sons of Israel. You shall say to them: “The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.”’ “So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and I then will bless them” (Numbers 6:22–27).

It amazes me just how complete the Word of God is. Any question about circumstance or example of faith in an area is answered in the pages between the covers of God’s Word.

In the above verses, God is instructing Moses on how He wanted him to bless His people. It is a prayer that speaks God’s blessings to the individual you are praying for. Here, God is instructing Moses, who will instruct Aaron and his sons. There are three different areas of our well-being here: first, that the Lord would bless and keep us—our physical needs, and third, that the countenance or God’s demeanor and expression would be calming and peaceful.

The second area of our well-being is that the Lord would make His face shine on you and be gracious or merciful and compassionate. In Scripture, when the Word refers to God making His face shine on you, it means to smile at you. When God smiles, you receive a feeling of compassion or mercy that goes directly to the well-being of your stature. In other words, you know you are good to go with Him.

Recently, my mother-in-law passed away. I saw her the night before, and as we were leaving, I smiled and told her we would see her tomorrow, and I would help her understand all that was going on with her care. For the first time I could remember Barbara smiled at me. It was a pleasant, and what appeared to be, sincere smile that warmed my heart. It was the first time in the 29-plus years I have been married to her daughter I felt she really meant what her countenance displayed. Her smile displayed mercy and compassion that gave me the message she accepted me and knew it was okay for her to leave her daughter, granddaughter, and great-granddaughter in my care. That smile will be the last mind picture I have of her. If you will, it will be her legacy from her to me.

If you need God’s smile on you, then pray for His blessings on others you meet, and He will return good and desirable blessings to you.

In service to Him and you, Pastor Jim

Click image to return to Notes