“Touch The Face Of God” (Numbers 6:24-26)

I still remember the moment when I heard the news. I was a medical student and every radio and television broadcast the same news story. “The Space Shuttle Challenger has exploded killing all of the astronauts aboard.” Everyone was devastated. President Reagan voiced the sorrow of an entire nation as he honored these fallen heroes with this poignant tribute, “The crew of the space shuttle honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them nor the last time we saw them — this morning — as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye, and slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God.”

President Reagan’s words reverberate to this day. It was a poetic metaphor and expressed an innate longing in all who desire certainty and comfort about the afterlife. When we slip the surly bonds of this earth, will we truly be in the presence of God? 

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. 

Numbers 6:24-26 (ESV)

Only in Heaven, will we be able to see the face of God, Jesus Christ. This will only happen if we confess and repent of our sins and place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. But this can only happen in this lifetime. Once we have slipped the bonds of this earth, it is too late. 

I truly desire that all will come to know the saving grace, love, and mercy of Jesus Christ. This is the only certainty to know we will touch the face of God when we die.

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.