The King's Face
By Ryan Dawson
“A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it. When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favour is like a rain cloud in spring.” Proverbs 16:14–15 (NIV)
There’s something beautifully simple and profoundly sobering in these verses. They speak of the reality of wrath and the promise of God’s favour—both of which echo far beyond the throne rooms of earthly kings. Behind these words lies a deeper truth: the very heart of the Gospel of grace.
We don't like to talk about it but Scripture couldn’t be clearer: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people” (Romans 1:18). Because of our sin and rebellion as humankind, we all stand guilty before a holy God. God’s wrath isn’t arbitrary or impulsive; it’s the just and measured response of a righteous King whose goodness and perfection cannot tolerate evil or accommodate sin. Left to our own devices we would be like those in Revelation 6:15–17, hiding among the rocks, pleading for the mountains to fall on us rather than face the judgment of the Lamb of God.
But enter the wisdom of God. Proverbs 16 says, “the wise will appease it.” Who is wise enough and worthy enough to appease the wrath of God? Only Jesus Christ, the all sufficient Saviour King.
Paul reminds us that Jesus is the one in whom are hidden “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2–3). He alone could stand in our place, bear the wrath we deserve, and reconcile us to God. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has turned away the judgment we could never escape. As 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 assures us: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us…” Take this to heart — Jesus died for you! Because of Jesus, the scowl of wrath becomes the smile of favour. And when God’s face shines on us, it truly means life in all its fullness.
One of my favourite benedictions is the Priestly Blessing from Numbers 6: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn His countenance toward you and give you peace.” We used to pray this over our children every night at bedtime. That’s not just a poetic benediction. It’s the reality we live in now because of Christ. The unmerited favour of God rests on us because we trust in the life and atoning work of Jesus Christ.
And when God’s favour rests on you, it’s like “a rain cloud in spring”—gentle, refreshing, and life-giving. Titus 3:3–7 paints the picture well: we were once foolish and enslaved, but now, by God’s mercy, we’ve been washed, renewed, and made heirs of eternal life, and this is all grace. In Jesus, we experience the “spring rains” of the soul—new life, steady growth, and grace that keeps flowing.
So today, pause and take this in. Because you trust in Jesus Christ, God’s wrath has been turned away and God’s favour has come. The King’s face is shining upon you in love. Will you smile back?
Blessings, Ryan
“A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but the wise will appease it. When a king’s face brightens, it means life; his favour is like a rain cloud in spring.” Proverbs 16:14–15 (NIV)
There’s something beautifully simple and profoundly sobering in these verses. They speak of the reality of wrath and the promise of God’s favour—both of which echo far beyond the throne rooms of earthly kings. Behind these words lies a deeper truth: the very heart of the Gospel of grace.
We don't like to talk about it but Scripture couldn’t be clearer: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people” (Romans 1:18). Because of our sin and rebellion as humankind, we all stand guilty before a holy God. God’s wrath isn’t arbitrary or impulsive; it’s the just and measured response of a righteous King whose goodness and perfection cannot tolerate evil or accommodate sin. Left to our own devices we would be like those in Revelation 6:15–17, hiding among the rocks, pleading for the mountains to fall on us rather than face the judgment of the Lamb of God.
But enter the wisdom of God. Proverbs 16 says, “the wise will appease it.” Who is wise enough and worthy enough to appease the wrath of God? Only Jesus Christ, the all sufficient Saviour King.
Paul reminds us that Jesus is the one in whom are hidden “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2–3). He alone could stand in our place, bear the wrath we deserve, and reconcile us to God. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has turned away the judgment we could never escape. As 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 assures us: “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us…” Take this to heart — Jesus died for you! Because of Jesus, the scowl of wrath becomes the smile of favour. And when God’s face shines on us, it truly means life in all its fullness.
One of my favourite benedictions is the Priestly Blessing from Numbers 6: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn His countenance toward you and give you peace.” We used to pray this over our children every night at bedtime. That’s not just a poetic benediction. It’s the reality we live in now because of Christ. The unmerited favour of God rests on us because we trust in the life and atoning work of Jesus Christ.
And when God’s favour rests on you, it’s like “a rain cloud in spring”—gentle, refreshing, and life-giving. Titus 3:3–7 paints the picture well: we were once foolish and enslaved, but now, by God’s mercy, we’ve been washed, renewed, and made heirs of eternal life, and this is all grace. In Jesus, we experience the “spring rains” of the soul—new life, steady growth, and grace that keeps flowing.
So today, pause and take this in. Because you trust in Jesus Christ, God’s wrath has been turned away and God’s favour has come. The King’s face is shining upon you in love. Will you smile back?
Blessings, Ryan