The Help of His Countenance

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance." (Psalm 42:5)

David, here, exhorts his own soul to hope in God and to rise up from its downcast state. He is able to do this because he is fully cognizant of the help available to him. No believer has to remain downcast. The potency of the provision of God will lift up the soul that is down cast; and that, simply by the help of His countenance.

God's favorable look upon one of His children is able to lift them out of the miry clay and set their feet upon a rock. It is sort of like the outraying of His glory warms the soul. Many a soul has been exalted by the help of His countenance, that soul could be you today.

Countenance. A person's countenance is the outward expression of their thoughts toward something or someone. This may be displayed by facial expression or body language - some sort of visible expression or appearance. For example, when Cain's offering was not accepted by God he "was very wroth, and his countenance fell" (Gen 4:5). His being wroth was displayed by his fallen countenance. Likewise when Laban found out that his cattle and daughters were now Jacob's his countenance demonstrated that he was no longer in favor of Jacob. "And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and behold, it was not toward him as before" (Gen 31:2). By this Jacob knew it was time to leave Laban's company.

David, here, spoke of the help of God's countenance. He was declaring that if God would look favorably upon him, if God's goodness and provision would be toward him, than he would indeed be delivered from all of his enemies. The vaccilating soul can find stability and strength, even quietness and peace, when God's countenance is lifted up toward him.

A Countenance Like None Other. If God is for you, there is none who can harm you. But if the Lord is against you, there is none to deliver you. His countenance is so potent and powerful that it can save or destroy. Simply by His appearance men are either upheld or torn down.While those who have offended Him will "perish at the rebuke of [His] countenance" (Ps 80:16), those who have found mercy shall be saved "by the light of [His] countenance" (Ps 44:3).

It is God's preference to save men by the light of His countenance rather than slaying them by His rebuke. More of His glory is seen in salvation than in condemnation. God, therefore, is seeking those whom He might look favorably upon but, as in the case of Israel, He seldom finds them.

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro througout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong inthe behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him. Herein thou hast done foolishly; therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." (2 Chronicles 16:9)

God is still this way. He is still looking for those whom He might look favorably upon. Let it be you! The help of His countenance with uphold and strengthen you.

An Appropriate Request. If you find yourself downcast, if your knees are feeble and your hands hang down, ask God to shine His countenance upon you. You will not be sorry. He is able to show Himself strong in your behalf. God has revealed the necessity of such a request when He commanded Moses to instruct Aaron and his sons to bless the people in view of this. He literally put the following words into their mouths:

"The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)

Those still in the body and still inhabiting a present evil world are faced with much tribulation. They have to contend with enemies within and enemies without. Yet God is pleased to cause men to overcome such distresses because He is glorified in it. Let the saints of God declare with great faith, "There be many that say, 'Who will shew us any good?' Lord, lift Thou up the light of Thy countenance upon us" (Ps 4:6). Salvation is realized when God responds favorably to such a request.

Favor and Help. Dwelling in the light of God's countenance is a most blessed state. It is a place of provision, peace and joy. Thus it is written, "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound; they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance" (Ps 89:15). Make it your aim to be one of those people and you too shall praise Him for the help of His countenance.