And as we read through the Scriptures this whole story of man's creation, calling and destiny, we seem to see that one matter governs the whole long record of human life, and this one matter is that of THE FACE OF GOD.
The expulsion from the garden was expulsion from the face of the LORD.
From that time the face of GOD was never again seen by man, except in tokens - such as His mercy, His goodness - and even then only on certain conditions; but His face in reality man did not and could not see.
And throughout this Book, we find that man's greatest blessing, highest good and deepest longing always related to the face of GOD.
How often from the heart of man the cry is heard - "Lift thou up the light of thy countenance" (Ps. 4:6); "Make thy face to shine on thy servant" (Ps. 31:16); 'to walk in the light of his countenance' (Ps. 89:15).
The deepest longing in the heart of man is ever for what that means, and his highest good is always seen to be connected with the face of GOD;
While, on the other hand, man's deepest misery and desolation is always when GOD'S face is turned away - when he senses that that countenance is not toward him.
To be spiritually alive and sensitive, and to feel that there is a cloud over the face of the LORD, is the most miserable experience of which we are capable, the greatest desolation of heart.
~T. Austin Sparks~