Topical Bible: The Truth of God: Always Goes Before his Face

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The concept of the truth of God going before His face is a profound theme woven throughout the Scriptures, reflecting the divine nature and the unwavering reliability of God's character and promises. This theme underscores the idea that God's truth is not only inherent in His being but also precedes His actions and presence, guiding and establishing His ways.

Biblical Foundation

The truth of God is foundational to His nature and is consistently portrayed as preceding His presence and actions. In Psalm 89:14 , it is written, "Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and truth go before You." This verse highlights that truth is not merely an attribute of God but is integral to His very essence, setting the stage for His righteous rule and just actions.

Divine Guidance and Protection

The truth of God serves as a guiding light and protective force for His people. In Psalm 25:5 , the psalmist prays, "Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; all day long I wait for You." Here, the truth of God is depicted as a path of guidance, leading believers in the way of righteousness and understanding.

Furthermore, in Psalm 91:4 , it is stated, "He will cover you with His feathers; under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and rampart." The term "faithfulness" in this context is often understood as God's truth, providing a protective barrier for those who trust in Him.

The Incarnation of Truth

The ultimate manifestation of God's truth going before His face is found in the person of Jesus Christ. In John 1:14 , it is declared, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Jesus embodies the truth of God, revealing the Father and His divine will to humanity.

Jesus Himself affirmed this in John 14:6 , where He proclaimed, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." In this declaration, Jesus positions Himself as the embodiment of divine truth, the path to God, and the source of eternal life.

Truth in the Life of Believers

For believers, the truth of God is not only a theological concept but a practical reality that shapes their lives. In Ephesians 6:14 , the apostle Paul exhorts Christians to "Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed." The truth of God is depicted as essential armor, enabling believers to stand firm against spiritual deception and moral compromise.

Moreover, in John 17:17 , Jesus prays for His disciples, saying, "Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth." Here, the truth of God is identified with His Word, which sanctifies and sets believers apart for His purposes.

Eternal Nature of God's Truth

The eternal nature of God's truth is emphasized throughout Scripture, affirming its unchanging and enduring quality. In Psalm 117:2 , it is proclaimed, "For great is His loving devotion toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Hallelujah!" The truth of God is synonymous with His faithfulness, enduring through all generations and circumstances.

In conclusion, the truth of God going before His face is a testament to His unchanging nature and the reliability of His promises. It is a guiding light, a protective shield, and a sanctifying force in the lives of believers, ultimately revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, who embodies the fullness of divine truth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 89:14
Justice and judgment are the habitation of your throne: mercy and truth shall go before your face.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Truth of God
... The word of a prince cannot always be taken, but God's promise is inviolable. ...
I beseech you, labour to be like God. He is a God of truth. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/10 the truth of god.htm

God with Us, and we with God
... whole being of a man, but that only God can so ... In all other gladnesses there is always
in the landscape one ... As one who only too sadly proved the truth of his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/god with us and we.htm

The Immutability of God
... why I fear no fall." Then let us always say, "Lord ... Will they not echo back the truth
that God hath said ... my case, and true in respect most of God's people; for ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the immutability of god.htm

The Knowledge of God
... be deceived; he cannot deceive, because he is truth, nor be ... Use three: Is God so
infinite in knowledge ... in conspectu [Hence we ought to live as if always in full ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/2 the knowledge of god.htm

God's Glory in Hiding Sin
... in it an excuse for sin; but the truth that God ... The convicted sinner says, "My sin,
my sin, I always see it ... it ever be hidden from the sight of God?" Canst thou ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/gods glory in hiding sin.htm

Meanwhile, Unconscious of the Miracle his Prayer had Wrought...
... be, the Church!"science is Truth, and Truth is God ... God cannot be found anywhere in
a lie; and the ... is a friend," she said, "He is welcome in the studio always. ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/vii meanwhile unconscious of the.htm

Grace Flooding.
... Grace and truth was a man coming, the very embodiment in Himself ... law, was not a
statement of the full message of God. ... That will always get a child's attention. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/grace flooding.htm

The Vanguard and Rereward of the Church
... there was an evident preparedness in the minds of the people for the reception of
the truth, and I ... Now let me always think, that I have God behind me as ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the vanguard and rereward of.htm

On the Feast of the Holy Martyr, St Laurence
... That man is indeed alone who has not God always within him ... has said: "I am the Way,
and the Truth, and the ... with tears of blood, one moment more from God than he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xvi on the feast.htm

The Ark of his Covenant
... you that sometimes, and it should be always, God's people do ... Then reflect that there
is another side to this truth. ... who are not in covenant with God, you who ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/the ark of his covenant.htm