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Key Bible Verse: His servants will worship him. And they will see his face Revelation 22:3-4. Bonus Reading: Exodus 33:12-23

I once read that on average American children spend less than three minutes a day face-to-face with their fathers. Ever since learning that sad fact, I've made it a point not simply to spend time with my children, but also whenever possible to look them in the eye. This is how a father knows his children: by studying the subtle changes in their countenance. And this is how children know their father: by gazing upon his face, where they see the sternness of his rebuke and the tenderness of his love.

That's why it is so amazing that God offers us such knowledge of Himself. "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror," the Scriptures say 1 Corinthians 13:12, NIV). "Then we shall see face to face."

There's something metaphoric about this promise, of course, but we shouldn't dismiss its literal dimension. When we get to heaven we'll be able to gaze upon Jesus' physical face. God has promised to show us His glory "seen in the face of Jesus Christ" 2 Corinthians 4:6. If only we knew our heart's true desire, we'd know that His face is the one we've been looking for all these years, that seeing Jesus face to face will satisfy our deepest longings.

—Philip Ryken in He Speaks to Me Everywhere

My Response: How frequently do I carve out "face time" with my heavenly Father?

Thought to Apply: Human things must be known to be loved, but divine things must be loved to be known.—BLAISE PASCAL (French scientist & philosopher)

Adapted from He Speaks to Me Everywhere (P&R Publishing, 2004) by permission.

Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

When I feel driven and distracted, Your voice gets drowned out. Help me, Lord, to discover how to focus on Your presence in my life.

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