Lord Bless You

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Scripture: Numbers 6:24-26 (NIV)

“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”

Devotion:

In our society today, people often seek blessings, protection, and peace from many different sources. These things may bring temporary results but fail in the long run. In today’s scripture, we find Israel requesting these things from God. Blessings from God are eternal and bring us true blessedness that doesn’t fade or change with time. God gives us blessings, protection, and peace that never change or fade. Let’s explore these three gifts of God.

First, let’s look at how God blesses and keeps His people. When we hear the word blessed, we may think of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus declares blessings over a wide variety of situations. Jesus was explaining how God seeks to bless us in many ways. God seeks to provide for us, sustain us, and care for us. We can be certain of God’s faithfulness to do these things. Throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, we read that God always comes through for His people. We can rest knowing that God will always be there for us, instead of worrying and seeking help through earthly means.

Next, we read that “the Lord will make His face to shine upon you.” What does this mean to us? God’s face shining upon us can mean we will see His favor, His delight in us, and His nearness to us at all times. In short, this shows God’s grace toward us, not something we have earned, but what God freely gives to those He loves. God’s nearness means He seeks to be our joy, assurance, and the source of our strength. Where have we turned away from God’s face and do not experience His presence in our lives?

Finally, we come to God’s peace, His shalom. The Hebrew word shalom, used here, means more than the mere absence of external and internal conflict. It conveys a contentment that transcends explanation. God has always sought to give His people peace. The New Testament calls it “a peace that passes understanding.” This peace was given to Israel in Old Testament times as a foreshadowing of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, to come. We are to seek our peace not in the things of the world but in God alone.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for blessing and keeping us. Thank you that you have turned your face toward us and shown us your grace. Help us know your peace that passes understanding. Bless us with all these things in increasing measure. Let us walk in the way of your care and rejoice in your presence with us at all times. Amen.

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