Radiance of His Approval

Have you ever paused to consider how God looks at you? Too often, we carry this heavy, underlying feeling that God is constantly looking down at us with a furrowed brow, disappointed by our flaws or keeping a tally of our mistakes. But Scripture paints a completely different, breathtaking picture: God is actually smiling over you, and He approves of you!

This beautiful reality is captured in one of the most famous blessings in the entire Bible, found in Numbers 6:24-25:

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you..."

When God makes His face "shine" on you, it means He is looking at you with radiant joy and pleasure. It is the ultimate heavenly smile! And His approval isn't based on your perfect performance; it’s based on His love for you as His child. When you feel trapped or overwhelmed, He steps in to rescue you simply because He delights in you, a truth beautifully echoed in Psalm 18:19:

"He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me."

We need to deeply absorb God's approval into our everyday lives. When you realize you are already seen, approved of, and loved by the Lord of lords and the King of kings, it completely changes how you carry yourself.

Scientists say it actually takes fewer facial muscles to smile than it does to frown. A simple smile has the power to instantly brighten a heavy moment and can make another person feel the warmth and security that we feel. When we walk around reflecting the smile of God, we invite the world around us to see that they are deeply loved by Him, too.

Reflection Question: How would your day look different if you fully accepted the truth that God is smiling over you and delighting in you right this very moment?