Because the Father looks on the face of Jesus

I truly love this psalm, and I could write many things on it, but today, here were the verses that struck me.

Lord God of Armies, hear my prayer;
listen, God of Jacob.

Consider our shield, God;
look on the face of your anointed one. (Psalm 84:8-9)

In verse 9, the psalmist asks God to consider their shield, and to look on the face of their anointed one.

Both “shield” and “anointed one” refer to the king at that time, but ultimately they look forward to Jesus Christ.

(“Messiah” and “Christ,” by the way, both mean “anointed one,” that is, the one God anoints to be king.)

But anyway, has it ever occurred to you to wonder why God would hear our prayers?

It’s certainly not because we deserve his favor. Rather, it’s because the Father considers our Shield.

He looks on the face of his Anointed One. He looks at what Jesus did on the cross for us. And because of Jesus, he looks on us with favor.

It is because of Jesus, that we can enter the very presence of God.

It is because of Jesus, that we are able to pass through the valley of tears, going from strength to strength.

And it is because of Jesus that one day, we will be home with him.

So let us praise God each day for his glorious grace.