The Help of His Countenance

Psalm 42:5

INTRODUCTION: The saints of old spoke much of God’s countenance. In fact, as I researched song lyrics, I found that songwriters put this subject matter in lyric form frequently.

• Thomas Kelly wrote, “Lord of life, thy smile enlightens”
• Frederick Whitfield wrote, “It tells me of a Father’s smile Beaming upon his child;”
• Anne Steele wrote, “One smile, one blissful smile of thine, My dearest Lord, outweighs them all.”
• Fanny Crosby wrote, “Take the world, but give me Jesus, Let me view his constant smile;”
• William Balfern wrote, “’Tis heaven to see his smiling face,”
• Luther Bridgers wrote, “Always looking on his smiling face,”
• Eliza Hewitt wrote, “Jesus shows his smiling face,”
• Thomas Chisholm wrote, “My dearest treasure, the light of his smile;”

I. THE FOUNDATION OF MAN’S COUNTENANCE

A. The Countenance Witnesses (Isaiah 3:9)

B. The Countenance Is a Reflection

1. Of health (1 Samuel 1:18)
a. Hannah was troubled and had not eaten.
b. When she prayed and ate, “her countenance was no more sad.”
c. Note: Nehemiah’s countenance had to be affected by something else, seeing he was “not sick” (Nehemiah 2:2).
2. Of the heart
a. A bad spirit yields a bad countenance (Genesis 4:5-6).
b. A sorrowful heart yields a sad countenance (Nehemiah 2:2-3).
c. A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance (Proverbs 15:13).
d. A hypocritical heart produces a sad countenance (Matthew 6:16).

II. THE HELP OF GOD’S COUNTENANCE

A. The Lord’s Countenance Helps Man Inwardly

1. “The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:26).
2. The Lord’s countenance makes man “exceeding glad” (Psalm 21:6).
3. Man should “praise him for the help of his countenance” (Psalm 42:5).
4. God can “make me full of joy with thy countenance” (Acts 2:28).

B. The Lord’s Countenance Affects Man’s Countenance

1. God “is the health of my countenance” (Psalm 42:11; Psalm 43:5).
2. When Moses stood in the presence of the Lord, his countenance was made like unto the countenance of the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:7).

CONCLUSION: What does your countenance tell about the condition of your heart? What does your countenance suggest about your walk with the Lord?