The definition of the word “radiant” means: Sending out the light or shining and glowing brightly. Having intense joy. Luminous, glowing, dazzling, and bright, are all synonyms for the word radiant. I think the modern day word “bling” could also apply.
Is your face radiantly reflecting Christ? Has time in the word made an impact on your thoughts? If not, ask the LORD to speak to you vividly through a verse that will zing (that is what I call it, “zing”). Yes, your troubles are still there, but take it as your occupation to let God’s light shine on your face as you reflect Jesus, to others you come in contact with each day. You have spent time with God Almighty who protects, shepherds, always listens, shields, rewards, blesses, and answers your prayers. You are equipped to handle whatever may come with your arsenal of verses. It is time to let your light shine!
Priscilla Shirer has said in her Bible study book, “The Armor of God,” that we are “a publisher of peace, a messenger of the good news. Through God’s Word, you can pronounce freedom and peace over your own circumstances and even the lives of those you love.” That is a new concept to me. I am a publisher of peace from having my “. . . feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:15, HCSB.
I can think of two women that have been examples to me of being peace-filled Christian women. The one has had a serious life change of events in her life. But God’s Word is her steadying force. How she loves to dig and help other women know how to study the Bible in spite of her situation. My other friend, who lives in Colorado, uses humor to turn any pessimistic attitude into a positive attitude. When I think of this woman, her smile, sarcasm, and laughter automatically come to mind. Her glass is always half full and never half empty. Her strong faith in God exudes the peace in her heart.
Luke 8:16, ESV, declares: “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.”
My question for myself is: Will my face radiate from my time with God this morning and will my light so shine before others even when we are in conflict? That challenges me.
I must confess my face was not radiating the joy of the Lord, in CVS recently. I was not able to take a package of the Oral-B replacement toothbrush heads off the hook, so I went to the front register and told the employee my problem. He spoke over the intercom for a service employee to go to Isle 25 and meet a customer. I went back there and after waiting for five to ten minutes walked all the way back to the front of the store, and complained to the young man behind the register that no one came. He apologized and repeated the command again for a service employee to meet a customer in Isle 25. I waited longer. No one came. I tried every conceivable way to tear that package off the hook, but it would not come down. I wished I had a scissors. I would have cut it off the hook. At last a friendly smiling woman came and retrieved my toothbrush package off of the locked rack. I did not have a patient expression when I again went back to the register where the clerk was who rang up my purchase. My patience was tested, and I didn’t pass the test as I walked out of the store shaking my head.
David proclaimed in Psalm 34:1: “I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Am I continually giving thanks to the LORD throughout the day? No, I have to admit I too quickly complain about situations, get impatient, and instead of radiating God’s goodness and mercy, I grumble.
The HCSB puts Psalm 34:5 this way: “Those who look to Him are radiant with joy; their faces will never be ashamed.” That is the key. As we look to the Lord for guidance, for answers, for His will, His companionship, we should then be radiant with joy, and then our words will not come back to embarrass us after the fact.
Psalm 34:5: “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces will not be ashamed.”
God is our rock, our strength, our encourager, our deliverer. His mercies are new every morning.
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.” Chuck Swindoll.
Dear LORD, as I look to you for help, I want to reflect the radiant, happy joy that only You can give. May Your peace be evident in my conversations. You take away my shame, my guilt, my frustrations and failures due to Your unconditional and never ending love. I want my face to reflect radiance from my relationship with You. I want to apply your peace in my life better, so my face is glowing and not ashamed from stupid stuff getting the best of me.
“This too will pass.” Nella Helmers.
Let the peace of God radiate on your face today.