There is no greater pursuit than ‘beholding the face of God’ during our times of devotion and worship. Scripture speaks of this profound privilege as the highest experience of intimacy, transformation and eternal fulfilment. How do you ‘behold the face of God?’ Though now we see dimly, a day is coming when we will see Him face to face — unveiled, unhindered and undone by His glory.
The longing of the human heart
To ‘behold the face of God’ is the deepest longing planted within every human heart – a longing only He can fulfil. Every glimpse of His glory now prepares us for the full vision yet to come. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, allowing the Spirit to transform us from glory to glory, our souls are awakened, strengthened and satisfied. Let us live every day with unveiled hearts, pressing closer, looking higher and longing deeper, until the day we see Him as He is – face to face, forever changed, forever home.
Following are some Scriptures and thoughts to consider in your prayer times with the Lord.
1. Beholding God’s face transforms us
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory… (2 Corinthians 3:18, NKJV).
Transformation flows not from striving but from gazing. As we behold the Lord, we are progressively changed into His image. Every glimpse of His glory makes us more like Him. This means practically focusing our hearts and minds on the Lord as we spend time in prayer and worship. We ‘see’ Him as we read through the Scriptures that speak about Him.
2. Beholding satisfies our deepest longing
As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness. (Psalm 17:15, NKJV).
No earthly pleasure compares to the satisfaction of seeing God’s face. Our hearts are restless until they find joy in His presence. In His likeness, we awaken to true fullness. The more we ponder Scripture verses about Him, His character and His beauty, we are satisfied with the knowledge that He truly is our God and loves us very much!
3. Christ reveals God’s face to us
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness… to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6, NKJV).
Jesus Christ shines the light of God’s glory directly into our hearts. To behold Christ is to behold the face of God — His compassion, truth and power in human form. How do we ‘behold’ Christ? By reading and praying through Scriptures that tell us more about Him!
4. No one has seen God, but Jesus makes Him known
“No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son… He has declared Him.” (John 1:18, NKJV).
Though no one can see God in His fullness, Jesus has made Him known perfectly. In seeing Christ, we encounter the invisible Father’s heart and glory.
5. God’s love is the foundation for beholding
“Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1-2, NKJV).
Our ability to behold God flows from His lavish love poured out upon us! He calls us His children now, preparing us for the greater revelation yet to come. Pondering these thoughts tenderises our hearts and His love begins to flow in us more fully.
6. Beholding requires action
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror… (James 1:23-24, NKJV).
It is not enough to glance at God’s Word; we must respond to its invitation. Every verse is an invitation to the reader to make his/her own choice. True beholding shapes our actions, not just our feelings, bringing lasting transformation as we turn from our own ways and start to follow His ways!
7. Focusing on Jesus empowers endurance
Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross… (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV).
There are many challenges we face throughout our lives. Fixing our eyes on Jesus anchors us through every trial. His example of enduring the cross for joy inspires us to keep running our race faithfully. We are not alone, He is our ‘all in all’, our Shepherd who leads us to waters where we can find rest, even amidst difficult situations.
8. Faith is the entryway to seeing God
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, NKJV).
Believing in Jesus opens our spiritual eyes to see what He sees! Putting our faith in the Lord Jesus gives us insight into the Father’s love for us, and that faith grants us a foretaste of the sight that will become complete in eternal life.
9. Renewed minds prepare us for beholding
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind… (Romans 12:2, NKJV).
Transformation begins in the renewal of our minds. As we fix our thoughts on God’s truth, we are made ready to behold more of His glory. The more we allow His love to flow through us to others, the more His presence fills our hearts and minds.
10. Holiness is essential to see the Lord
Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord… (Hebrews 12:14, NKJV).
Without holiness, we cannot behold God’s face. Purity of heart and life prepares us to see Him now by faith. Every time we step away from worldliness, we are one step closer to Him! Every choice for holiness and righteousness is a step closer to Him.
11. Our citizenship is in heaven
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior… who will transform our lowly body… (Philippians 3:20-21, NKJV).
Earth is not our true or permanent home. Sometimes we become stuck because we focus on our circumstances. When our focus remains upward, where Christ is, we are being transformed into the image of our eternal God.
12. Fixing our eyes on God brings clarity
O our God… we have no power against this great multitude… nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You. (2 Chronicles 20:12, NKJV).
When we fall into the trap to focus on our circumstances, we can lose hope and feel that God is distant. But, when we don’t know what to do, lifting our eyes to God brings clarity, courage and divine intervention.
13. Eternal life means eternal beholding
“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life…” (John 6:40, NKJV).
Eternal life is more than endless existence — it is knowing and beholding God forever, fully alive in His presence. Not only are we practising the presence of God in this life by beholding Him, but one day we will behold Him face to face and never again be removed from His presence.
