Dear Precious Friends,
In light of our current events,
I wanted to share with you such a special, and upbeat... meaningful scripture. When we learn what's behind it and think of what is going on in our world today, it takes new meaning. Also, there is a song that I am including that I will also include separately ... it is a must listen to!!
What Does 'May the Lord Bless You and Keep You' Mean?
God’s heart for His people on full display.
In the words of Aaron, who led the priests and Levites, the nature of God’s blessing to every person was revealed.
“The Lord bless you and keep you.” (Numbers 6:24)
It’s clear from these words and the countless examples provided in the Old Testament, that God would never abandon His people nor break covenant with them, even if they walked out on Him or betrayed their end of the bargain. It's the same today!
As the prophet Isaiah wrote, “I (the Lord) have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’” (Isaiah 51:16)
“I (the Lord) will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 6:7)
This was the nature of the covenant God had made. They were His people and He was their God. He would “keep” them in the shadow of His wings and never let go. No matter what (Psalms 17:8).
The blessing continues:
“The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:25-26)
According to Matthew Henry, this blessing communicates the heart of God in its promise to protect His people from evil (2 Thessalonians 3:3), pardon them from their sin (Micah 7:18), and provide peace in the midst of chaos (Philippians 4:7).
As the sun shines upon the earth, so God’s face would shine on His people to enlighten, comfort, and renew them. Likewise, the Lord would lift “His countenance” on His people as a father looks upon his children or we are inclined to greet a friend we’re glad to see.
The bottom line is, God delights in His people and takes pleasure in our presence and well-being. The light of God guides our journey and dispels all darkness of uncertainty and sadness. I pray that when the Lord’s face shines upon you, you are a reflection of his love to all those around you, making them feel his presence, his understanding and his forgiveness. If you do, the Lord will look upon you kindly and will grant you and those you love abundant peace.
Throughout this season, may the face of the Lord shine upon you in every moment. And may you be able always to look back at him, face to face, with that special trust only attained by those who know how to remain faithful to the Lord and how to look into his eyes without having to look away.
Before the Lord’s shining face we are able to tell him about our joys, our achievements and our good harvest. We are able to share with him our sadness. We are able to put before him our dreams, our wishes and yearnings. We are able to entrust on him our fears, our downfalls and our disappointments.
We can
shed a tear or two if we need. Sometimes we just need to contemplate his face in the deepest silence, and fill ourselves with his divine peace.
Amen.
Love you all so much.
Song of reflection: https://youtu.be/Zp6aygmvzM4
In light of our current events,
I wanted to share with you such a special, and upbeat... meaningful scripture. When we learn what's behind it and think of what is going on in our world today, it takes new meaning. Also, there is a song that I am including that I will also include separately ... it is a must listen to!!
What Does 'May the Lord Bless You and Keep You' Mean?
God’s heart for His people on full display.
In the words of Aaron, who led the priests and Levites, the nature of God’s blessing to every person was revealed.
“The Lord bless you and keep you.” (Numbers 6:24)
It’s clear from these words and the countless examples provided in the Old Testament, that God would never abandon His people nor break covenant with them, even if they walked out on Him or betrayed their end of the bargain. It's the same today!
As the prophet Isaiah wrote, “I (the Lord) have put my words in your mouth and covered you with the shadow of my hand— I who set the heavens in place, who laid the foundations of the earth, and who say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’” (Isaiah 51:16)
“I (the Lord) will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” (Exodus 6:7)
This was the nature of the covenant God had made. They were His people and He was their God. He would “keep” them in the shadow of His wings and never let go. No matter what (Psalms 17:8).
The blessing continues:
“The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.” (Numbers 6:25-26)
According to Matthew Henry, this blessing communicates the heart of God in its promise to protect His people from evil (2 Thessalonians 3:3), pardon them from their sin (Micah 7:18), and provide peace in the midst of chaos (Philippians 4:7).
As the sun shines upon the earth, so God’s face would shine on His people to enlighten, comfort, and renew them. Likewise, the Lord would lift “His countenance” on His people as a father looks upon his children or we are inclined to greet a friend we’re glad to see.
The bottom line is, God delights in His people and takes pleasure in our presence and well-being. The light of God guides our journey and dispels all darkness of uncertainty and sadness. I pray that when the Lord’s face shines upon you, you are a reflection of his love to all those around you, making them feel his presence, his understanding and his forgiveness. If you do, the Lord will look upon you kindly and will grant you and those you love abundant peace.
Throughout this season, may the face of the Lord shine upon you in every moment. And may you be able always to look back at him, face to face, with that special trust only attained by those who know how to remain faithful to the Lord and how to look into his eyes without having to look away.
Before the Lord’s shining face we are able to tell him about our joys, our achievements and our good harvest. We are able to share with him our sadness. We are able to put before him our dreams, our wishes and yearnings. We are able to entrust on him our fears, our downfalls and our disappointments.
We can
shed a tear or two if we need. Sometimes we just need to contemplate his face in the deepest silence, and fill ourselves with his divine peace.
Amen.
Love you all so much.
Song of reflection: https://youtu.be/