Tag: keeping his people
God’s Blesses His People!
Scripture Reading for February 12: Numbers 5-8
Everyone loves a blessing! Blessing assures us of something good coming our way that costs us nothing and that sometimes is the opposite of what we really deserve. God’s grace is a blessing to us who really deserve His wrath and punishment instead. Today’s reading contains the Aaronic blessing found in Numbers 6:22-27.
The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them: ” ‘ “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face towards you and give you peace.” ‘ “So they will put my name on the Israelites and I will bless them.”
I love to say this blessing! I usually give it at the end of every service I lead. This is God telling His priests how to speak a blessing over God’s people. God really wants to bless His children! God wants them to experience his provision and protection. Blessing speaks of provision and abundance without any sorrow or trouble. “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth and he adds no trouble to it.” (Proverbs 10:22) Keeping us implies safety and protection.
God uses the picture of His face shining on us. Think of someone with a smile that radiates love and warmth. My mother has that kind of smile! God is telling us that His face is smiling at us and His grace is being poured out on us. When He is looking at us and smiling, we have peace that passes understanding. God is not angry with His people when they come to Him for forgiveness, fellowship and favors. We are dependent people. We need God and are so blessed to know that He loves us and is pleased with us. This pleasing doesn’t come from our perfect behavior, but in spite of our sin and rebellion! Jesus Christ has pleased the Father by his perfect obedience. When we trust in Christ and believe on Him, we are given a gift of right standing and the smile of God’s face can be turned toward us! God has been so gracious to us by sending His Son to restore the smile of God in our lives! May the Lord bless and keep you today, may His face smile lovingly on you and your family! May His peace fill your lives! May His name be upon you!