Psychological tests reveal babies less than an hour old will stare at faces far longer than any other object or pattern. They seem to “know” they need to recognize the faces of those who will care for them – those who can be trusted. By four months their brains are processing facial recognition at levels nearly equal to adults. This ability – no doubt built into us by our Maker – is profoundly important for personal interaction, both with other people and with God.

According to Scripture, God desires to commune with those He made in His own image. Some of the conversations He had with Adam and Eve are recorded in the early chapters of Genesis. It doesn’t say whether they saw a bodily form of some kind or just heard a voice, but it’s clear they enjoyed fellowship with Him … until they sinned. After the Fall, everything changed. “Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord” (Genesis 3:8).  

When their oldest son Cain brought his sacrifice and it was not accepted, the Lord asked him: “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted?” (Genesis 4:6-7). Cain didn’t heed the warning, though. His anger drove him to murder his brother Abel. When God told him what the consequences would be for his action, Cain cries out: “My punishment is more than I can bear … you are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from your presence” (v. 13).

Despite the damage sin brought – cutting us off from His daily presence and making it difficult for us to hear His voice – Scripture reveals that God still found people who recognized His goodness and freely yielded their lives to Him. And in response to their faith, God revealed His presence, His plans, and His expectations to them. “The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Exodus 33:11). In the verses that follow, we get to read about one of their face-to-face conversations as they discuss the Israelites’ journey to the Promised Land. God assures Moses: “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” To which Moses replies (my paraphrase): Oh good! That’s a relief! Because if you don’t go with us, I don’t want to go. You are vital to our success, and your presence with us is the only real distinction between us and the other nations. “How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and your people unless you go with us?” (v. 16).

On another occasion the Lord gives Moses a message to pass along to his brother Aaron, the nation’s high priest. The message is what Aaron is to pronounce over the Israelites when he blesses them. “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 turn his face toward you and give you peace’” (Numbers 6:25). This has become for many of us a favorite verse from Scripture, but what does the Lord want us to learn from it? How is it relevant to us in the church today?

Here’s what I think He wants us to know (and remember): It’s MY presence that brings you peace. It’s MY face shining on you that protects you and makes you prosper. Don’t be deceived! The world can offer you plenty of temporary pleasures and distractions, but I’m the only face you can fully trust. Only I can supply what you truly need to grow and prosper. In ME you’ll find long-term satisfaction that’ll sustain you through even the worst of circumstances.   

Do you remember the first time you recognized the face of God? When we’re born again, it’s like everything is new again, no matter how old we are physically. We’re fascinated to learn everything we can about our new life in Christ. We turn our faces often to the One whose presence is such a delight. We welcome our face-to-face encounters with Him. A keen sense of dependency and wonder mark our lives.    

As wonderful as the baby stage is, the Lord wants us to mature in our walk with Him. He wants us (like Moses) to take on responsibility in His kingdom so He can use us to bless and encourage others. Newborns are able to recognize faces only from a distance of 8 to 10 inches. As their eyesight improves over time, they can recognize their trusted caregivers from across a room. And with greater depth perception, they begin to see the world in greater detail.

These physical realities have obvious spiritual implications. The longer we walk in communion with God, the more we learn about His character. We’re able to trust Him for more and more details of our lives because we’ve seen how faithfully He has cared for us. We also become more discerning about the world’s system and how it works to undermine our faith in God. We recognize the Lord’s presence from greater distances away. This enables us to continue to trust Him even when our prayers are not immediately answered. We don’t panic when He seems to have vanished from our sight. We continue to seek Him, knowing He will reward our desire for His presence. “Give thanks to the Lord … Glory in his holy name … Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always” (1 Chronicles 16:8-11).

Sometimes as we grow up, we are lured into a false sense of security. We begin to trust in our own knowledge and experience. We adopt the mindset of teenagers, thinking we don’t need the counsel of our parents anymore. When this sense of independence takes root, we find it harder to recognize God’s presence. Our lives grow cold and barren as we distance ourselves from Him. Isaiah warned the rebellious Israelites, “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you” (Isaiah 59:2). But here’s the good news: “The Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him” (2 Chronicles 30:9). Growing up need not involve rebellion or sin. We can (like Jesus) submit to the Father’s will and find joy in our face-to-face relationship with Him.

Thank you, my Father, for allowing me to know you in an intimate and personal way. Sharpen my spiritual eyesight through your Spirit and Word. Show me how to enjoy your fellowship not just once in a while but daily. Right now, I turn my face to you, knowing you are a face I can trust. IN YOU I am blessed; in you I have all I need. May I live like I believe it! Amen.