When Moses came down from Mount Sinai carrying the two Tablets of The Testimony, he didn't know that the skin of his face glowed because he had been speaking with God. Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, saw his radiant face, and held back, afraid to get close to him. Moses called out to them. Aaron and the leaders in the community came back and Moses talked with them. Later all the Israelites came up to him and he passed on the commands, everything that God had told him on Mount Sinai. When Moses finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face, but when he went into the presence of God to speak with him, he removed the veil until he came out. When he came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, they would see Moses' face, its skin glowing, and then he would again put the veil on his face until he went back in to speak with God. (Exodus 34:29-35 The Message Version)
We're not talking about potato packs you place on your face to make your face glow. I know this because in my search for an image to share with you, like the one above of the classic painting of God and Moses, when I typed in "Glowing face" it took me to photos of a woman with a glowing face thanks to potato packs you can buy. Of course. But, the glowing face we're talking about comes from encounters with God. On Monday, we saw Jesus' whole body glow and today's passage it is Moses' face that glows because of his encounters with God. Ours may not glow brilliantly bright that our friends or family will say, "Get a veil on that face!" but the flow of the contentment and peace of having spent time with God will show a glow that others may wonder about. Time spent with God is awesome. Time spent listening to God is a blessing. Time spent walking with God is the beginning of an eternal reward.
If you read The Upper Room, today's little message comes from Argentina, by a man whose mother became bedridden and had to be placed in a caring facility. She was visited by a priest who asked to pray for her. She replied she was from another denomination but would welcome a prayer. When the priest finished, she prayed. The next week the priest returned, but this time with a young companion. The priest said, "I want you to listen to how this woman prays. It is as if she is conversing with a friend."
Spend time with your best friend, God. God listens, and you will be blessed; and your face may even glow!
PRAYER: Loving Lord Jesus, we pray not for our faces to glow, but to be blessed by our love together. May we seek to know You more and help others to come to You. This I pray in Thy name, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
