Just the Nine of Us

Just the Nine of Us

Friday, February 6, 2015

Words: Countenance

Countenance is the word that has been on my heart this week. Of course, the countenance is the face. There are so many references from the Bible we could focus on, I mean this word is literally all through the Bible and there is so much significant depth behind each reference. There are tons of references both to the face or countenance of God, and to the face or countenance of man. I'm just going to focus on the references to the countenance of God in this post. The countenance of man could be a completely different post.

I'm not even sure which passage started me on this word study, but one that nearly everyone knows and has so much depth behind it is the Aaronic blessing from Numbers 6:24-26:

"The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
and give you peace."

We've discussed this at length in our Friday night fellowship & bible study we do with some friends from the passage in Leviticus 26, where God is describing the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. He says that He will look on His people favorably in their obedience, but will set His face against them in their disobedience. He warns in Deuteronomy 31:17 that when His people rebel, He will turn His face away. King Hezekiah begs the people in 2 Chronicles 30:9 to "return to the Lord. . . for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him." His face turned toward or away from the people meant so much, as the faces of the kings in those days could grant blessing or curse, death or life. There are  many petitions in the Bible for the blessing of His face upon us: "Make Your face shine upon Your servant!" is an earnest plea from Psalm 31:16 and Psalm 119:135. Equally earnest is the petition for Him not to turn His face away: "Do not hide Your face from me!"- Psalm 27:9 and Psalm 102:2. Old Testament kings of Israel would request God to turn His face toward His people and turn His face away from their enemies. Again we see that His face shining upon His people meant blessing. His face turning away always meant curse.

Interestingly, His countenance is always associated with light. Psalm 4:6 is a beautiful prayer for the light of His countenance to be upon us. His countenance in Matthew 28:3 is described as being "like lightning" and in Revelation 1:16 as "like the sun shining in its strength." The request is always for His face to shine upon us. "Restore us, O God of hosts; cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!" -Psalm 80:7; "God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us!" -Psalm 67:1. When Moses left the presence of God, where he had spoken to Him face to face, his countenance was so bright he had to wear a veil so the people could look at him. Yet the challenge from 2 Corinthians 3:7-18 for us is that we, having a greater ministry of the Spirit, will have a brighter and brighter countenance as we behold Him more and more. We either become darker or brighter depending on what we are beholding. Psalm 34:5 says that as we look at Him we are radiant.

"Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance." -Psalm 42:5

"Seek His face forevermore!" is the command of Psalm 105:4 and 1 Chronicles 16:11. Also, "When you said, 'Seek My face", my heart said to You, 'Your face, Lord, I will seek!'" -Psalm 27:8 I was discussing this with the kids this morning, about what "seeking His face" would look like in our lives, and we decided that when we seek someone's face, we want to be with them. It's not enough to correspond via email or text or letters; we really want to spend time with them face to face. Just being with them, talking, being in communion. Seeking His face looks like just wanting to be in His presence, where there is fullness of joy. There is satisfaction in seeing His face. "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face."- 1 Corinthians 13:12. Oh what joy, to see Him fully! So the question comes, do we see His face now, or then? That is the question. I believe that He wouldn't command us to seek His face while on earth if we couldn't see it, at least "through a mirror, dimly". But just like now we see the stars and the heavens pretty well on a clear night, but the Hubble sees things far beyond that we can't even comprehend, I believe His beauty and power and righteousness will completely overwhelm us. But we are still supposed to gaze at the stars for now and behold the level of beauty and power that we can handle in our earthly bodies. Seeking His face now is the only way we can get through this life without falling apart. And then will come the day when we will see Him fully and all will be complete. Oh happy day!

"They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. There shall be no night there; they need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light." -Revelation 22:4-5

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.

Amen!

Song of Solomon is one of my favorite books. In 5:15, the Beloved (Jesus) is described as having a "countenance like Lebanon". The bride is described in 4:11 as having the "fragrance of Lebanon." Only from having been in His presence, beholding His face and being near, would our garments have the fragrance of Lebanon.



19 comments:

  1. HOW I GOT PREGNANT WITH THE HELP OF DR BOSUN ROOTS AND HERBS WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.

    The doctor told me that i will never get pregnant because my tube was tied,i tried all source to make sure a get the fruit of the womb but all to no avail until i met an old time friend,who introduced me to Dr Bosun Herbal Center.
    I contacted him and he gave me some root and herbs,i followed the prescription and i got my result in a very short while.I am very happy to tell the whole world that i am a happy mother of a baby girl.
    You too can get your testimony by contacting him on: bosunherbalcenter@outlook.com or bosunherbalcenter@yahoo.com he is simply the best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Am Susan Rodrick by name, i was diagnosed with Herpes for 4 years ago i lived in pain with the knowledge that i wasn't going to ever be well again i contacted so many herbal doctors on this issue and wasted a large sum of money but my condition never got better i was determined to get my life back so one day i saw mrs amber post on how Dr Emmanuel saved him from the VIRUS with herbal medicine i contacted Dr Emmanuel on WhatsApp at +2348140073965 or email address: nativehealthclinic@gmail.com we spoke on the issue i told him all that i went through and he told me not to worry that everything will be fine again so he prepared the medicine and send it to me through courier service and told me how to use it,after 14days of usage I went to see the doctor for test ,then the result was negative,am the happiest woman on earth now. this testimony is real.thanks to Dr Emmanuel God bless you. you can also reach him on his whatsApp number +2348140073965

      Delete
    2. Natural herbs have cured so many illness that drugs and injection cant cure. I've seen the great importance of natural herbs and the wonderful work they have done in people's lives. i read people's testimonies online on how they were cured of herpes, HIV, diabetics etc by Dr. ISHIAKU herbal medicine, so i decided to contact the doctor because i know nature has the power to heal anything. I was diagnosed with HIV for the past 7 years but Dr. ISHIAKU cured me with his herbs and i referred my aunt and her husband to him immediately because they were both suffering from herpes but to God be the glory, they were cured too .I know is hard to believe but am a living testimony. There is no harm trying herbs. He is also a spell caster, he cast spell to restore broken marriages and he cast good luck spells to prosper and excel in life. Contact Dr ISHIAKU on Whatsapp or call him +2348180828544 OR email him ISHIAKUHERBALCURE@GMAIL.COM

      Delete
    3. Life has not been so easy for me, i almost gave up on getting cured of HSV2 because i have tried many treatment and still don't work for me, so i was going place to place just for me to search for herbs cure or any solution to my problem and i also have three kids to take care of, that same period my husband die in an accident on it way coming home so life was very tough for me, so when i was going through the herbs site to find a cure for my problem i saw a story about a lady testify about DR.Imoudu, so i said to my self let me give a try to see if my problem can be solved, because i have spend alot of money In the hospital and their was no cure for it, so i contacted DR.Imoudu that afternoon of it and he gave me instruction how i will go about it and he sent me a herbal medicine which I took according to the way he instructed me to do. After taking the medicine for two weeks i saw a changes on my body, then i called the Dr and told him about it and he said i should go for test. i can't believe when my result came out it was negative, i was very happy to share this great testimony to the world there is real cure for #herpes you can also contact DR.Imoudu Email: DR.IMOUDUHEALERTEMPLE@GMAIL. COM also WhatsApp him +2348109609753..
      He also have herbs medicine to cured the following diseases;
      Diabetes, Lupus, Gout, Hepatitis A,B, Infertility, HIV/AIDS, CANCER, WART,ALS CURE/DIABETES CURE/EPILEPSY/HPV CURE/LOOSE WEIGHT AND BODY/EX-BACK/stroke

      Delete
    4. I contacted Dr Ikhide via his E-mail ikhidespecial@gmail.com
      Its a miracle that I am alive today. I encounter HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV1/2) for good four (4) years, six (6) months and twelve (12) day with my calculations, before I meet the great Dr Ikhide I am from Fresno California, united state of America and I was affected with herpes virus. Herpes is a viral infection cause by the Herpes simplex virus, marked by painful, watery blister in the skin or mucous membrane or on the genitals. This was what I suffered for good four years. I have visited CVS Pharmacy in Fresno for treatment but no improvement. I meet Dr Ikhide online while I was searching for herpes cure I read a testimony about his work. I give a try that now becomes a testimony in my life. I contacted Dr Ikhide via his E-mail ikhidespecial@gmail.com and he did not responds to me in time and I went back to the same testimony for his mobile number and I called him immediately +1(267)527-9481 And he respond to my call. He welcome me as a daughter and I explain my four years situation to him and he said is done just as I have contacted him and I believed in him. Dr Ikhide sends me some herbal medication for herpes cure and he gave me instruction on what to do and I obeyed his instruction. Changes started after three days of applying the herbal medication. I went to the same CVS Pharmacy in Fresno for test and i was herpes negative. I do not know how to thanks Dr Ikhide for saving my life. To God be the Glory, I am living healthy with my family today.Indeed, Dr Ikhide is a great man WhatsApp him now +1(267)527-9481 God bless Dr Ikhide for his good work...

      Delete
    5. Hello, everyone! I,m here to explore blogs and forum about the wonderful and most safe cure for (Herpes Virus).I was positive to the deadly virus called herpes and i lost hope because i was out casted and rejected even by my closet friends.i searched on-line to know and enquirer about cure for Herpes and i read someone testimony on how he was cured from Herpes so i decided to contact the same herbalist because i know that nature has the power to heal everything.i contacted him to know how he can help me and he told me never to worry that he will heal me with the natural herbs from God!after 2 days of contacting him, he told me that the cure has been ready and he sent it to me via DHL and it got to me after 3 days!i used the med as he instructed me (MORNING and EVENING) and i was cured!its really like a dream but i am so happy!thats the reason i decided to also add more comment of Him so that more can be saved just like me!and if you need his help, you can email him on nativehealthclinic@gmail.com, Instagram IG: @dremmanuel2 or whatsapp +2348140073965 I,m neme amber and you can get in touch with me via nemeamber@gmail.com..Contact him for help at Herpes virus HIV/AIDS CANCER COPD BRAIN TUMOR All kind of virus and disease //...

      Delete
  2. TESTIMONY OF HOW I GOT CURED FROM HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS This is real take it serious, who will believe that a herb can cure herpes, i never believe that this will work, i have spend a lot getting drugs from the hospital to keep me healthy, it got to a time that i was waiting for is death to come because i was broke, one day i heard about this great man called Dr. Ekpiku who is well know for Herpes, HIV, and Cancer cure, i decided to email him I didn't believe him that much, I just wanted to give him a try, he replied my mail and Needed some Information about me, then I sent them to him, he prepared a herbal medicine (CURE) and sent it through Online Courier Service for delivery, he gave my details to the Courier Office. they told me that 3-5 days I will receive the package and after receiving it, i took the medicine as prescribed by him at the end of the one week, he told me to go to the hospital for a checkup, and i went, surprisingly after the test the doctor confirm me Herpes simplex virus negative, i thought it was a joke, i went to another hospital and was also negative, thank you for saving my life, I promise I will always testify of your good works. if you are herpes simplex virus patient, contact him and I am sure you will get cured, contact him via: ekpikuspellhomeofgrace@gmail.com. or ekpikuspellhomeofgrace@hotmail.com or call +2348073673757 OR whatsup him..... THESE ARE THE THINGS Dr. Ekpiku. . HERPES . HIV/AIDS . CANCER

    ReplyDelete
  3. I Am really happy that i and my boyfriend are cured of (HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS) with the herbal medicine of Dr ehije , i have been suffering for this disease for the past 3 years without solution until i came across the email of this doctors who have cure so many people with his herbal medicine, i also choose to give him a chance to help me and my boyfriend, he told me what to do and i kindly did it,and he gave us his herbal medicine and direct me on how to use it, i also follows his instruction for use and he ask us to go for a check up after 3 weeks and which i did, to my greatest surprise our result came out as negative, we are really happy that there is someone like this DR who is ready to help anytime any day. to all the readers and viewers that is doubting this testimony stop doubting it and contact this Doctor and see if he will not actually help you. i am not a stupid woman that i will come out to the public and start saying what someone have not done for me. he is really a great man contact him now. with this email: allmightbazulartemple@gmial.com he always ready to help you solve your problem....call via +25470881207




    ReplyDelete
  4. I have been suffering from (HERPES) disease for the last four years and had constant pain, especially in my knees.

    During the first year,I had faith in God that i would be healed someday.This disease started circulate all over my

    body and i have been taking treatment from my doctor, few weeks ago i came on search on the internet if i could get

    any information concerning the prevention of this disease, on my search i saw a testimony of someone who has been

    healed from (Hepatitis B and Cancer) by this Man Dr Aloma and she also gave the email address of this man and

    advise we should contact him for any sickness that he would be of help, so i wrote to Dr Gumbla telling him about

    my (HERPES Virus) he told me not to worry that i was going to be cured!! hmm i never believed it,, well after all

    the procedures and remedy given to me by this man few weeks later i started experiencing changes all over me as the

    Dr assured me that i have cured,after some time i went to my doctor to confirmed if i have be finally healed behold

    it was TRUE, So friends my advise is if you have such sickness or any other at all you can email Dr Aloma on :

    (dralomaherbscure@gmail.com) or call him with +2348051095232.. THESE ARE THE THINGS DR Aloma CAN ALSO CURE..

    GONORRHEA, HIV/AIDS , LOW SPERM COUNT, MENOPAUSE DISEASE, PREGNANCY PROBLEM, SHORT SIGHTEDNESS PROBLEM, Stroke,

    Bring back ex lover or wife/husband....sir i am indeed grateful for the help i will forever recommend you to my

    friends!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My name is Adams from Australia , am here to share a very important testimony to you all on how Priest Onome of priestonomeherbaltemple@outlook.com help me to make my wife get pregnant, we have been trying to get our own baby for the past 7yrs but no positive solution until i get priest onome email address from the internet on how a lady from USA was testifying about his good work he did for her , then i discuss it with my wife if we are going to give a try and we did , at first i was thinking it was a scam when he ask us to send him money to buy the things that his going to used to cast a spell for me,behold after 2 weeks my wife went for checkup and the doctor confirm her a week pregnant after obeying and following priest onome instructions . I want to continue Thanking priest onome for his good help he did for me and my family, to contact this great man , you can email him via : priestonomeherbaltemple@outlook.com

      Delete
  5. My name is Adams from Australia , am here to share a very important testimony to you all on how Priest Onome of priestonomeherbaltemple@outlook.com help me to make my wife get pregnant, we have been trying to get our own baby for the past 7yrs but no positive solution until i get priest onome email address from the internet on how a lady from USA was testifying about his good work he did for her , then i discuss it with my wife if we are going to give a try and we did , at first i was thinking it was a scam when he ask us to send him money to buy the things that his going to used to cast a spell for me,behold after 2 weeks my wife went for checkup and the doctor confirm her a week pregnant after obeying and following priest onome instructions . I want to continue Thanking priest onome for his good help he did for me and my family, to contact this great man , you can email him via : priestonomeherbaltemple@outlook.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I had fibroid after some years of marriage and couldn't conceive nor give birth,i have been having several experience similar to the woman with the issue of blood.I had blood flow with abdominal pains and the menstrual cycle was irregular,the doctors confirmed that i had fibroid,that i can't conceive or give birth.
    I contacted Mama Kalaki and told her everything and she gave me some root and herbs that i took.I got some flows that same day,later felt another strange movement that got me scared.I called my husband and told him how i feel at the moment,the following morning,i felt something like a lump in fords came out of me.
    That was how i got my positive result with the help of Mama Kalaki,i am a mother of two bouncing babies.Get in touch with her on: mama.kalakisolutiontemple@yahoo.com or https://mamakalakisolution.wixsite.com/spell (Whatsapp: +2348117796356)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have been trying for 3years to get pregnant and needed help! i have Been going to the doctors but still nothing. The doctor said that me and my husband are fine and I don't know where else to turn. Until one day my friend introduce me to this great spiritualist who helped her to get back her lost husband back with love spell and also made her pregnant, So I decided to contact this spiritualist Priest Babaka after interaction with him, He did a ritual for me and also instructed me on what to do, after then i should have sex with my partner or any man I love in this world, And i did so, within the next 3 weeks i went for a check up and my doctor confirmed that i am 2weeks pregnant. I am so happy!! if you also need help to get pregnant contact him via email : babaka.wolf@gmail.com or Facebook at priest.babaka

    ReplyDelete
  8. Life has not been so easy for me, i almost gave up on getting cured of HSV2 because i have tried many treatment and still don't work for me, so i was going place to place just for me to search for herbs cure or any solution to my problem and i also have three kids to take care of, that same period my husband die in an accident on it way coming home so life was very tough for me, so when i was going through the herbs site to find a cure for my problem i saw a story about a lady testify about DR.Imoudu, so i said to my self let me give a try to see if my problem can be solved, because i have spend alot of money In the hospital and their was no cure for it, so i contacted DR.Imoudu that afternoon of it and he gave me instruction how i will go about it and he sent me a herbal medicine which I took according to the way he instructed me to do. After taking the medicine for two weeks i saw a changes on my body, then i called the Dr and told him about it and he said i should go for test. i can't believe when my result came out it was negative, i was very happy to share this great testimony to the world there is real cure for #herpes you can also contact DR.Imoudu Email: DR.IMOUDUHEALERTEMPLE@GMAIL. COM also WhatsApp him +2348109609753..
    He also have herbs medicine to cured the following diseases;
    Diabetes, Lupus, Gout, Hepatitis A,B, Infertility, HIV/AIDS, CANCER, WART,ALS CURE/DIABETES CURE/EPILEPSY/HPV CURE/LOOSE WEIGHT AND BODY/EX-BACK/stroke

    ReplyDelete
  9. I contacted Dr Ikhide via his E-mail ikhidespecial@gmail.com
    Its a miracle that I am alive today. I encounter HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS (HSV1/2) for good four (4) years, six (6) months and twelve (12) day with my calculations, before I meet the great Dr Ikhide I am from Fresno California, united state of America and I was affected with herpes virus. Herpes is a viral infection cause by the Herpes simplex virus, marked by painful, watery blister in the skin or mucous membrane or on the genitals. This was what I suffered for good four years. I have visited CVS Pharmacy in Fresno for treatment but no improvement. I meet Dr Ikhide online while I was searching for herpes cure I read a testimony about his work. I give a try that now becomes a testimony in my life. I contacted Dr Ikhide via his E-mail ikhidespecial@gmail.com and he did not responds to me in time and I went back to the same testimony for his mobile number and I called him immediately +1(267)527-9481 And he respond to my call. He welcome me as a daughter and I explain my four years situation to him and he said is done just as I have contacted him and I believed in him. Dr Ikhide sends me some herbal medication for herpes cure and he gave me instruction on what to do and I obeyed his instruction. Changes started after three days of applying the herbal medication. I went to the same CVS Pharmacy in Fresno for test and i was herpes negative. I do not know how to thanks Dr Ikhide for saving my life. To God be the Glory, I am living healthy with my family today.Indeed, Dr Ikhide is a great man WhatsApp him now +1(267)527-9481 God bless Dr Ikhide for his good work...

    ReplyDelete
  10. May God bless dr.idowu. for his marvelous work in my life, I was diagnosed of HERPES VIRUS, since 2017 and I was taking my medications, I wasn't satisfied with it because i needed to get the{cold score} HERPES VIRUS, Out of my system, I searched about some possible cure for{cold score} Herpes i saw comments about Dr.idowu how he cured people's diseases with his herbal medicine, I contacted him and he guided me. I asked for solutions, he stated the remedy for my health, he sent me the medicine through UPS SPEED POST. I took the medicine as prescribed by him and 14 days later i was cured from {cold score} HERPES, thank you so much and you are the one that God sent to change my miserable life, may the almighty GOD be with you all the days of your life, so my brothers and sisters, I ugh you to contact him on this email address if you need his help Dr.idowuherbalhome@gmail.com .Dr idowu ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU SIR.He also told me that he has solution for the flowing. (+2348052789941) on Whats-app now*fibroid *kidney*fatty liver *HIV/AIDS**..1 Cancer cure Diabetes cures Ringing ear 4 Herpes cures Warts cure HPV cure Get your ex backs Pregnancy herbal medicines Prostate enlargement Hepatitis B 11 Disability Etc. Add him on Whats-app .now add him on via .(+2348052789941) or (+2348052789941). +2348052789941.. .good luck ...save life. you can contract if you have any probelem .............

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi everyone I'm Mrs Katrina Bennett, My husband divorced me 2 years ago to live with another woman and i have tried have him back but i could not, so i try to do many things to get him back and he refuse to come back. One faithful Friday morning, I visit a forum for tips on how to get your Ex back and there i saw a lady testifying on how Dr.alusi helped her to get her husband back after he was tie down with a spell by another woman. Although I never believed in spiritual work I reluctantly tried him because I was desperate and i contact him and explain my problems to him, to my greatest surprise Dr.alusi helped me to bring back my husband after 5days and now my relationship is more perfect just as he promised. Getting your ex back permanently does not only bring back someone you love but it will also reunite your lovers feelings. My husband now treats me like a Queen and always says he loves me all the time. If you are passing through difficulties in your relationship, Doctor alusi can help solve marital problems, restore broken relationships and some other things.I can assure he's highly potent and reliable. Email him for urgent help [dr.alusistanley@gmail.com] or +2348146050373.

    ReplyDelete
  12. HOW I WAS CURE FROM HERPES WITHIN  14DAYS WITH THE HELP OF DR ZUBBY HERBAL MEDICINE CONTACT DR ZUBBY HIS website 
     https://drzubbyherbalcure.weebly.com/
    I am so Happy to be writing this article in here, i am here to explore blogs from about the wonderful and most safe cure for HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS I was positive to the Virus called HERPES and i lost hope completely because i was rejected even by my closet friends. i searched online to know and inquire about cure for HERPES and i saw testimony about DR ZUBBY online on how he cured so many persons from Herpes Disease so i decided to contact the great herbalist because i know that nature has the power to heal everything. i contacted him to  just like me! and if you need his help WhatsApp him +2348070673249 He also have the herbs to cure difference cure  for any sickness 
    (1) HERPES,
    (2) HIV
    (3) CANCER
    (4) DIABETES,
    (5) HIV&AIDS,
    (6) URINARY TRACT INFECTION,
    (7) HEPATITIS B,
    (8) BARENESS/INFERTILITY
    (9) DIARRHEA
    (10) ASTHMA...

     kindly email DR ZUBBY for your own cure if you have any disease listed and his email (dr.zubbysolutionhome@gmail.com) His WhatsApp no +2348070673249


     his fb page  https://www.facebook.com/dr_zubby04-108328840861468

    https://www.facebook.com/Drzubby-herbla-home-112207317016092  

    ReplyDelete
  13. powerful herbal healer called Dr. voodoo who use his natural herbs to cure
    my HIV disease I suffered from 5years, but now I am a happy woman and i am
    free from this disease that has been problem to my living, after using Dr.
    voodoo herbal medicine within 1week i was diagnose negative, I will
    recommend Dr. voodoo to everyone reading this article because this herbal
    healer is capable to heal anything below.

    1. Diabetes
    2. HERPES 1/2
    3. CANCER
    4. Lymphoma disease
    5. Conceived a child
    6. Fibroid

    Email Dr voodoo at: voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com add Dr. voodoo on
    whatsApp: +2348140120719

    ReplyDelete