“You shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among you, at the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide.”
Deuteronomy 16:11 NKJV
The phrase “you shall rejoice” conjures up all kids of images in my mind (dancing, tambourines, etc) and is not something that has always come naturally to me. As a highly emotive person, too often my feelings rule my face and my responses – or lack there of. But today I learned a meaning of the word “rejoice” I had never known before and I love it – brighten up.
The Hebrew word for the phrase “and you shall rejoice” is śāmaḥ‘; and means to brighten up, to cheer up, to be glad, to have, make joy(-ful).
In other words, the verse could read, “you shall brighten up before the Lord your G-d”. I love that!!
I’ve struggled at times throughout my life to “feel” joyful. Even when I was a child, my parents could always read my mood with one glance at my face. I would suck at poker because the “poker face” doesn’t exist in me. If I feel happy, it’s clear in my countenance. If I’m mad, that’s obvious too. Though I’ve improved somewhat in that area as I’ve aged, how I’m feeling is still fairly obvious when you look at me.
But here’s the thing He spoke to me today – “let My presence brighten your countenance”. In the KJV, Psalms 34:5 says “They looked unto him, and were lightened: And their faces were not ashamed.” Other versions use the word “radiant”.
Rejoicing isn’t seen in how loud I sing or dance or shake the tambourine. Rejoicing is seen in my countenance. When I spend time with Him and look at Him, when I meditate on His goodness, His holiness, His righteousness, His sovereignty, His nature, I can’t help but brighten up. His PRESENCE, it transforms my heart which brightens up my face! When I have a revelation of WHO He is, it’s impossible to remain the same.
Perhaps the “face lift” I need is to sit a little longer in His presence until I brighten up.
Father – I love how You speak to me! You speak the language of my heart. No one knows me better than You. You bring me such joy. I am so grateful You redeemed me. I am overwhelmed at the realization again today that YOU CHOOSE ME. May my face and life be a reflection of Your glory. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Deuteronomy 14-16