-February 10, 2022-
Good morning, happy Thursday,
“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.”
(Numbers 6:24-26).
This portion in Numbers 6:23-27 is known as the Aaronic or priestly blessing. The high priest was to pronounce this blessing on all the Israelites. It was not just a blessing, but also a benediction and an encouragement to the people of God. It is composed of three parts: Blessing and keeping us, shining His face and being gracious to us, and lifting up His countenance on us and giving us peace. It is so rich and beautiful.
• The Lord bless you and keep you – The Lord wants to bless us even more than we want to be blessed. He keeps us throughout our earthly journey and will take us safely to heaven. Psalm 121:2-3 says, “He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” God always watches over us to bless us and keep us. He loves us so much. We need His constant care.
• The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you – When Stephen, the first martyr stood before the Jews in Acts chapter 7, it says of him right before he gave his defense and testimony before them in Acts 6:15, “And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.” He radiated the face of Christ on his face. People saw Jesus in him. He dripped with grace and truth as he traced the history of Israel leading up to the crucifixion. They listened to him up until that point. Then they covered their ears and stoned him to death. When we preach the gospel or share our faith, we need both grace and power. Do others see Jesus in you?
• The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace – Peace is of the greatest blessings we have in Christ. Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” We who are saved have peace with God and experience the peace of God. His peace surpasses all understanding and guards our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. We face so many uncertainties, troubles, problems, trials, and fears. The Prince of Peace, our Lord Jesus is with us and leads us through them all.
This Aaronic blessing was directed to Israel, God’s earthly people but applies to us as well. We have all these things in Christ and so much more. We are so blessed, blessed above the rest. We are His children, His servants, and His disciples. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Have a blessed day rejoicing in God’s rich and abundant blessings. May we be truly thankful for what we have in Him. Stay safe and healthy.
In His abundance in Christ,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 