“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
“So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” Numbers 6:22-27
“There are many who say, ‘Who will show us some good?
Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!’” Psalm 4:6
“Make your face shine on your servant;
save me in your steadfast love and teach me your statutes!” Psalm 31:16; 119:135
“May God be gracious to us and bless us
and make his face to shine upon us.” Psalm 67:1
There’s a washing, a unique beauty, and a holy power in being adorned with the Lord’s name. There is both privilege and responsibility in bearing and wearing it. His name identifies us as those smiled upon by heaven, those marked with His favor and grace, those who are His people. It wields comfort and security, confidence and bravery. Indeed, it is a blessing in every way, marking us forever and equipping us for every day.
But there are times we do not wear it well, doing great dishonor to the Name by our language, lack of self-control, foolish antics or choices. There are times we are ashamed, and would rather hide behind a prescribed mask of fancy or famous, or a chameleon form of chosen identity to fit in with a crowd. There are times we want to shake it off and be unencumbered by the Family name, its weight of notice and accountability, and sometimes criticism and persecution. Being known as royalty brings vulnerability, and piercing scrutiny.
But when we take regular time to soak in the Lord’s Name, we behold and understand more and more of His character; it shines on and into us. We grow in our love for this gracious One, and of His favor. We learn to relish the warmth, and savor the smile of God’s guarding our hearts and crowning our days with His bounty so much we want more, and want it always. (Psalm 65:11)
Would we begin each day by bowing before the King, asking that He crown us with His countenance? Would we take up His statutes along our way, and employ His grace and steadfast love in industry and interactions? What is seen and learned through us of His demeanor? How does our behavior display and attract others to His light?
“O for a heart to praise my God,
a heart from sin set free;
a heart that’s sprinkled with the blood
so freely shed for me:
A heart resigned, submissive, meek,
my great Redeemer’s throne;
where only Christ is heard to speak,
where Jesus reigns alone.
A heart in every thought renewed,
and full of love divine;
perfect and right and pure and good —
a copy, Lord, of thine.
Thy nature, gracious Lord, impart,
come quickly from above;
write thy new name upon my heart,
thy new best name of Love.” ~Charles Wesley (1742)
Father God, may Your name be seen on me and praised on high.
As the rain and snow 
Love ❤️ “ His name identifies us as those smiled upon by heaven, those marked with His favor and grace, those who are His people. It wields comfort and security, confidence and bravery. Indeed, it is a blessing in every way, marking us forever and equipping us for every day.” — Amen!
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