What does it mean to seek God’s face?

Answer

Many times in Scripture, God’s people are encouraged to seek the face of God. A familiar verse declares, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” «if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. », (2 Chronicles 7:14). If we can’t see God’s face, how do we seek God’s face?

The Hebrew word for “face” in the Old Testament is often translated as “presence.” When we seek the face of God, we are seeking His presence. The call to seek God’s face was issued to His people because they had abandoned Him and needed to return to Him.

A person’s face reveals much about his or her character and personality. We see the inward emotions of a person expressed outwardly on the face. We recognize a person by looking at his or her face. In a sense, one’s face represents the whole person. For the writers of the Bible, the human face could represent the entire person.

In Psalm 105:4, God’s faithful ones were called to “seek his face always.” Even if we have not abandoned God, there are times when we neglect to pursue Him. God’s face, His holy character, is often obscured by our human condition and fleshly desires. That is why the Lord urges us to seek His face continually. The Lord desires to be our constant companion in every experience of life. He wants us to know Him through and through. If we draw close to Him, God will draw close to us: “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world”.

«Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. », (James 4:8, NLT).

When we come to God in prayer, we are seeking His presence: “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face, God of Jacob” (Psalm 24:3-6).

The essence of worship is to seek the face of God. The Christian journey is a life dedicated to pursuing God’s presence and favor. The Lord desires us to humbly and trustingly seek His face in our prayers and in our moments with His Word. It entails intimacy to gaze deeply into someone’s face. Seeking God’s face is akin to fostering an intimate bond with Him: “O God, You are my God; I earnestly seek You. My soul thirsts for You; my whole body longs for You in this dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen You in Your sanctuary and beheld Your power and glory. Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise You!” (Psalm 63:1-3;NLT).

Receiving God’s favorable countenance is an indication of His blessing, love, and favor: “May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you” (Numbers 6:25;NLT;see also Psalm 80:3,7, 19). As we draw near to God, we are graced with His radiant favor. We do not seek Him solely to present Him with a list of desires and needs because we acknowledge that God is already aware of our necessities (Matthew 6:7-8).

(Matthew 6:7-8, 32-33). We trust that He will take care of us.

Seeking God’s face means desiring to know His character and wanting Him—His presence—more than any other thing He can give us.