July 31 Edify Devotional

Today’s Devotional Theme      Face to Face   Daily Scripture Exodus 33:11, 1 Corinthians 13:12 “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend…” “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” Encouragement  With some people we have mainly a social media acquaintance, others we often talk on the phone with, but with a few nearby relatives and friends we carry on a long-standing, intimate, face-to-face relationship. A few Old Testament figures – Gideon and Ezekiel come to mind – had face-to-face brushes with God, but evidently only with Moses (and perhaps Abraham) did God keep a long-standing, face-to-face dialog. The idiom “face to face” (also “mouth to mouth” or “eye to eye”) is found some 20 times in the Old Testament. It usually speaks of intimate contact between God and a person. The expression, “God spoke to Moses, saying…” shows up about 80 times, emphasizing the unique bond Moses had with God. In our present century, I think a few servants of God have an intimacy with God that approaches or even matches the closeness with Him that Moses enjoyed. I strive to become one of them. Take Action! In the New Testament Paul, in keeping with his Hebrew heritage, uses the phrase “face to face” a number of times. Perhaps the best known, certainly the instance that grabs me the hardest, is that in 1 Corinthians 13:12. The ancient manufacturing center of Corinth was renowned for its mirrors of polished silver and brass. But compared to the true reflections modern mirrors give, these mirrors showed distorted, imperfect images. (The word “dimly” translates the Greek ainigma, from which directly springs our word “enigma.”) Paul uses an analogy of our “enigmatic” reflection in a mirror to give force to the imperfect knowledge we have now. But Paul had an abiding hope of knowing God face to face, not just in a quick encounter, but for the rest of eternity. I fervently share that hope, if not in this world, then certainly in the next. Come into His Presence Father God, we understand from Your word that You know us through and through. For that we rejoice, for we realize it means You know what is best for us, and we delight in Your showing us those things. May we always take heart in Your revelation that our obscure knowledge of You will be made crystal clear in due time. In Jesus’ name, amen. Mark Bacon Teacher & Mentor Email Mark

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