July 25, 2025

Do you know anyone who doesn’t smile very often? There are a couple people in my life whom I can honestly say I have a difficult time picturing them smiling. That’s not to say anything necessarily about their heart or their attitude, I just don’t think they’re the type of person who smiles much (Quite honestly, it might just be that my presence causes them to not smile). 

When I’m at the gym I notice this, too. For the most part, people at my gym are friendly enough or at least neutral in their interactions with one another. There seems to be a culture in some gyms where the headphones are on, the stern gaze is locked in, and the detachment from all others around you is the expected posture. That’s why I find myself surprised when I pass by someone, make eye contact, or share equipment with them, and they give me a quick smile. It catches me off guard. And, of course, I return the gesture.  

Do you ever picture God smiling? I sort of hope I meet the person in heaven one day who first depicted God as an old man with a white beard sitting on a throne surrounded by chubby baby cherubim and clouds. I think I might want to smack them (that’s probably not acceptable in heaven). I’d at least want to ask them: Why did you depict God in such a serious and stern way? 

Granted, God is described in Scripture as having an array of character traits, emotions, and reactions. Some of which induce reverent fear. All of which are holy, majestic, and awesome. I wonder if we sometimes forget that God is ultimately a God of blessing, joy, and… smiles.  

His blessing began in Genesis as he looked at his creation and took pleasure in it. He created mankind as very good and blessed them. Jesus depicts God as a loving affectionate Father awaiting the return of his sons into his house with joy (Luke 15). One of my favorite passages that illustrates the face of God is Numbers 6:22-17. 

²²The Lord said to Moses, ²³“Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: 

²⁴“‘“The Lord bless you     and keep you; ²⁵the Lord make his face shine on you     and be gracious to you; ²⁶the Lord turn his face toward you     and give you peace.”’ 

²⁷“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”  

Did you catch that? The Lord wants to bless his sons and daughters. He desires to keep you close to him. Vv.25-26, then, tells us that God’s face will turn to us with joy, his countenance, as other translations say it, is turned directly toward you and me. This is a Hebrew way of saying that we are acceptable to God and seen as his friend. His favor makes direct eye contact with you. The same God who looked at Jesus in love and favor at his baptism (Matthew 3) looks at you and smiles. His face literally shines on you. God smiles when he thinks of you. 

There is something very disarming about a smile. When someone smiles at you it immediately relaxes you. Smiling has been linked to the release of mood-enhancing hormones which can reduce stress, relieve pain, improve your mood, and more.  Smiling conveys acceptance of one to another.  

God’s blessing is to smile upon you, to give you peace, and to share his glorious family name with you. You are his and he couldn’t be more ecstatic.  

I want to challenge you to sit with that verse from Numbers 6 today. Picture God looking at you in love. When you pray, have a new refreshed image of God in your mind. When you sin, picture the Father of Luke 15 running to you to joyfully. There are many qualities of God. I am encouraging you to focus your heart this week on his blessing to you. He wants to form you to be more like Jesus. He’s excited to continue to craft you into the man or woman he lovingly created you to be. He doesn’t do this begrudgingly, but with great pleasure! Ephesians 2:10 says, For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. The word for “handiwork” literally means “poem.” You are God’s poem, a work of art. Let go of your shame today. Surrender your pride. Set down your religious arrogance. Confess your apathy. Your Father is smiling at you.  

Blessed and Kept, 

Nathan 

Nathan Hinkle

Lead Pastor

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