Safe Haven

Have you ever noticed how someone’s face seems to glow after they’ve been in God’s presence? That image has been on my heart lately. When I (recently) turned 23, my friends and family surrounded me with prayer, encouragement, and prophetic words. One theme echoed through it all: radiance. They told me not only that I looked radiant but also could feel it in the spirit, and that this next year would be marked by a radiance from God.

As they spoke, Psalm 34:5 kept coming to mind:

“Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

The Hebrew word for “radiant” here is nahar, which means to shine, sparkle, or burn. When we behold the Father—when we lock eyes with Him—His glory reflects onto us simply by being in His presence. It gives us a spiritual (and even physical) glow. We no longer wear shame or condemnation because He completely consumes us; anything that is not of His nature fades. Radiance is evidence that one has truly looked to Him.

Jeremiah 31:12 uses the same word:

“They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion, and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the Lord… their life shall be like a watered garden, and they shall languish no more.”

God’s goodness produces a brightness in His people. It’s the glow of a heart satisfied in Him.

Hebrews 1:3 gives us an even deeper picture:

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”

The Greek word here is apaugasma—brightness, intense radiance. This word appears only in this verse because it describes the eternal glory Jesus holds as the Son of God. He isn’t just reflecting light; He’s the very source of it. John writes, “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world” (John 1:9), and “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory… full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

Jesus is the epitome of light—the Radiant One. And when we look to Him, our lives become a reflection of His glory. My prayer for this year, and for you, is that we would live radiant with His joy, His love, and His peace.

With love, hav