The Depths: The Face of God

Jack Baumgartner: Moses in the Cleft of the Rock (2012)

Would that every heart should reply with David: "You have said, 'Seek my face.' My heart says to you, 'Your face, LORD, do I seek'" (Psalm 27:8). 

Scripture records manifestations of the presence of God that so overawed people that they feared for their lives, one particularly evocative instance being that experienced by the elders of Israel as they banqueted before the Mountain of God (see Exodus 24:9-11); but David surely seeks a more intimate knowledge of God than an overawing manifestation for he pleads: 'Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me on a level path […]' (Psalm 27:11). 

David seeks to know the heart of God in accordance with God's own desire; and we should follow his example, for the injunction 'Seek my face' uses the plural form of address. God calls not just David but all who hear the call to seek the face of God that we might have communion with him. And how might we come to know the heart of God? 'Teach me your way' would imply that we come to know the heart of God and as such behold the face of God in scripture as we are transformed through the resurrection power of the Spirit by the renewal of our minds that we might discern and concur with the will of God:

Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? 
Let him who walks in darkness and has no light  
Trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.  

Behold, you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches!
Walk by the light of your fire and by the torches you have kindled.
This you have from my hand: you will lie down in torment.

(Isaiah 50:10-11)