The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. Ps. 121:5.

We are talking about God's hold on us, the grip of His heart and hand. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake" (Ps. 23:1-3).

These words were written by David, whose life record fell far short of the will of God. Yet finally he came to say this, because it had happened to him. God had really done something for him. He had gone a long way down and come a long way back. God never gave up on David. He will never give up on us. It is one thing to stand before our sins in despair. It is an entirely different thing to stand before our Lord with His hand upon our shoulder, gripped by a love that gives us back life and a future that has a triumphant song in it all the way.

"The Lord make his face shine upon thee." What a difference it makes when the sun shines. When God's face shines upon us, we walk in brightest sunshine. But let God veil His face and we are troubled. "Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled" (Ps. 30:7). There is no sunshine if we keep the mind shut up in ourselves. Money, success, or fame cannot bring the smile of Christ into our lives.

Let us allow God's face to shine upon us each day. "The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" (Ex. 34:6). Christ is slow to mark our sins and mistakes. He is always ready to accept us. He has never yet turned away one sincere, repentant, believing soul. His face is always toward us in love.

"The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." The figure is that of a king when his subjects seek an audience with him. He lifts up his face and they feel esteemed. They are invited to come close to him in private audience. He holds out his scepter of acceptance.

Our God lets us freely into His presence. We find favor with Him as did Esther when she went in to see the king. God's love and grace know no bounds. We live in the light of His countenance of love.