THE LIGHT OF THE KING’S FACE 

Personal transformation for the regeneration of communities and cities 

By Darren Stott

We survived the Winter and the Spring has come. The blossoming plum trees at the church are glowing bright pink, the grass is growing and thickening, and the choir of frogs have reassembled in the pond just behind our house. The change of seasons has brought about a significant increase of rain, and not just any kind of rain, spring rain.

Did you know that the Bible talks about spring rain? It’s true, Proverbs 16:15:

In the light of a king's face there is life, and his favor is like the clouds that bring the spring rain.

The New King James version refers to this spring rain as the latter rain. This is the rain that falls in March or April, just before the harvest. That which brings the rain is the “cloud,” and the cloud is very significant, as it would have symbolized the protection and prosperity of the Lord. The readers of Proverbs would have identified with the cloud being a protection from the scorching sun and the source of abundance and blessing - an appropriate type for the highest favor from God. So where does this blessing ultimately come from: the rain or the clouds?

Proverbs 16:15 says that all this blessing, all this life, all of this protection radiates through the light of the king’s face. We find ourselves in time that history books will one day write of and that the Bible already has. In Matthew 24:6-7, Jesus says:

“And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.”

Darkness is the absence of light, the absence of hope, a loss of joy and the acceptance of defeat. The world is becoming all too familiar with darkness. It’s almost like society has been tricked into thinking that it’s always just supposed to be winter and never summer. Artificial light is being offered in all forms and types. Entertainment is an example of artificial light; it allows for people to escape reality without the hangover – but the light does not remain. Drugs, narcotics and supplements offer light in moderation – while residing in the blood stream one’s perspective can change, but the circumstances remain and darkness eventually overwhelms them. Relationships can offer light – but when rocked by indifference and circumstance, the darkness waits. Did you know that there is no darkness in God? His face actually shines so bright that darkness cannot overcome it.

Jesus claimed to be the way, the truth and the life, and that, through him, we could have access to the Father, the King, the very one whose face shines like the sun. This access equals transformation. You cannot go face to face with the King and not be transformed. This personal transformation is for a reason. In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus said it like this,
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

The light that comes from the King’s face brings about personal transformation for regional regeneration. Regeneration is the process of darkness feeling as the light of God’s face takes the scene. Jesus says that revival starts with individuals (you), coming together (the town), and gives light to everyone in the house (community). The world is waiting for the revealing of such cities/centers of revival, transformation and restoration to be established. If we are not the light of the world, what hope does that leave the world? That leaves us with Lady Gaga and President Obama.
It sure has to start somewhere. It has to start sometime. It begins with communities who are so saturated in the light and life of the King. Why not now, why not you and I, why not us?

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”’
“So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6:22-27