“Joseph . . looked . . and saw that they were sad.” Genesis 40:6 NKJV
“A clear conscience makes a clear countenance, a troubled soul a clouded one.”
My thoughts today are about the “countenance.”
Your countenance is far more than just your physical appearance. Ever notice how something as small as a smile seems to improve a person’s physical appearance and that’s just surface; you can put it on and take it off anytime you choose. Putting on a happy face may fool people who don’t know you but not those who do. Consider the greater impact of a smile that radiates from a joyful spirit; that communicates even more about you to others more truthfully. Solomon wrote, “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance.” Proverbs 15:13 NKJV. Your countenance results from what is internal being expressed externally.
It has been said that the “eyes are the windows of the soul.” An incident in the life of Joseph is relevant to this. Two men each have dreams that trouble them. When Joseph sees them, their concern becomes obvious to him without a word being spoken. Their eyes told their story. “Joseph . . noticed the dejected look on their faces . . ‘Why do you look so worried today?’ And they replied, ‘We both had dreams last night but there is no one to tell us what they mean.’ So Joseph replied, ‘Tell me what you saw (in your dreams).’” Genesis 40:6-8 NLT. Joseph took time to notice, and help.
I believe the soul is accurately and ultimately reflected in one’s countenance. A clear conscience makes a clear countenance; a troubled soul clouds one’s countenance. See Acts 24:16 NKJV. Yesterday as people were entering for the Mothers Day service, I was standing near the entrance when a friend entered, shook my hand and simply said, “Pastor, would you pray for me today?” Not an altogether unusual request normally. But as I held her hand and looked into her eyes, I knew this was much more than a simple request. Her eyes were very sad and her countenance distressed. When I asked, “What’s wrong?” her story tumbled out. “Last night my son was killed by a car while walking. I knew this is where I needed to be this morning.” On Mother’s Day, she heard the news her son had been killed by a reckless driver the night before. I am so thankful I was there to see the pain on her countenance and hear her broken heart.
Joseph, who had his own problems, took time to notice and care about someone else’s pain. Involvement costs you more than time; it costs you caring. How do you live your life? It is easy in a busy life to be self-absorbed, occupied with your own plans and problems, too busy to notice those around you. Bit if that is true, it may be that your superficial relationships will leave you with no one to notice your pain when life collapses in on you. David felt that kind of pain – pursued, isolated, distressed, uncertain, alone. “There is no one who acknowledges me; refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul. I cried out to you, O Lord, I said ‘You are my refuge . .’” Psalm 142:1-7 NKJV. Some one, whose life will touch yours today, may need you to notice and care.
My prayer for you today is this timeless benediction, “The Lord bless and keep you . . the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.” Numbers 6:22-26.