The Power of your Countenance

As I drive to work in the mornings, there’s a stretch of neighborhood I pass through. It’s a quiet neighborhood, with fairly nice houses and yards, and I usually see a few people out walking their dogs as I drive through. There’s one particular lady who always waves when she sees me.

As far as I can tell, I’ve never actually met her, but she always smiles right at me and waves like she knows me. And despite the fact that the one smiling and waving is a total stranger, I still find myself cheered by her friendly greeting.

Recently, as I once again passed the lady and pondered why she would wave at me, I was reminded of the power of a cheerful countenance. For Christians, the matter of our countenance becomes not only a means of shining the light of Christ to the lost around us, but it also is one way we can do what Galatians 6:10 tells us to:

“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

As another Sunday approaches, our countenances can be a powerful means of doing good to others. Whether the church you attend is large or small, there are doubtless some brothers and sisters in Christ who would be cheered or encouraged by a smile from a cheerful countenance.

And then there’s your pastor—have you ever thought about what your face is communicating while he is preaching? Does he see an attentive, engaged countenance, or one that is dreaming of Sunday lunch?

Preaching isn’t intended to be background music, to be heard with the ears while the mind drifts somewhere else. We ought to go to church each Sunday eager for what the Holy Spirit will teach us through the preaching.

But sometimes we don’t feel cheerful. How can we have a cheerful countenance when there is so much wrong with the world around us? Look at the following verse:

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” (Psalm 42:5)

This verse also appears in verse 11 of the same chapter, as well as Psalm 43:5, and in both instances, the context is a time of deep distress. Notice what this verse says about the countenance: God is the health of my countenance.

How can I have Christ shining through my countenance when the circumstances of life are bleak? By taking my eyes off my circumstances and pinning my hope to God alone.

Interestingly, while our countenances can be a source of good cheer to others, God’s countenance is our source of joy.

“For Thou hast made him most blessed for ever: Thou hast made him exceeding glad with Thy countenance.” (Psalm 21:6)

That word countenance is also translated as face and presence. If we are to display the countenance of a heart rejoicing in God, we must be walking daily in the light of God’s presence.

“Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is Thy hand, and high is Thy right hand. Justice and judgement are the habitation of Thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before Thy face. Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted.” (Psalm 89:13-16)

Notice the emphasis here is on the attributes of God, or Who He is. When you struggle to rejoice in the Lord, take a few minutes to remember what God is like, and what He has done for you. The joy of the Lord isn’t a product of our circumstances. It comes from God Himself.

So, how are you doing with your countenance? I challenge you today to be conscious of what your face is communicating to the people around you. Dwell in the light of God’s countenance, and you will find yourself radiating that light in your own countenance.

“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