The Blessing….

I was reading Numbers 6 this morning in my daily quiet time and as I read this verse, the song by Kari Jobe automatically began to play in my head. I had my commentary in hand and began reading some of the notes made from Bible scholars, and a few things really jumped out at me.

I think the first thing to remember is that ALL blessing comes from God; without His blessing, nothing really works right. Blessing is not just about a life full of happiness, comfort, wealth and ease. We often settle for those things when God wants us to be BLESSED! His blessing always has our highest and greatest good in mind…higher than any wealth or happiness or comfort can bring to our lives.

But what are these blessings? What do they mean and bring into our lives?

“May the Lord bless you and KEEP you”
Being kept by God insures us life, peace and success. Not success as the world may see it, but success in all we put our hands to do in obedience to our King.

“May the Lord smile on you”
Having God smile on you is the greatest gift we can have; knowing He is pleased not because of what you have done, or who you are, but because you are His in Jesus.

“and be gracious to you”
God showing tender mercy and care for His people.

“May the Lord show you His favor”
Some translations say
“lift up His countenance upon you”

His loving attention on the believer. He pays attention to you! He answers your prayers! You can be sure that He will deliver you from all your troubles; deliver you from all of your enemies.

“and give you His peace”
He gives you PEACE – shalom is more than an end to aggression; this is God’s word for wholeness and goodness and total satisfaction in life. This is the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10.

The second thing to notice is that His name, “Lord” was said three times – while this is not proof of Trinity, it seems to speak of the completeness of God.

God the Father – blesses and keeps His children.
God the Son makes God’s face to shine on us and give us grace.
God the Spirit communicates God’s attention to us, and gives us peace.
It seems to emphasize the God of Israel is the source of grace, blessing, hope, and peace.

But the thing that spoke to me the strongest was in these three verses He says “you” six times!
Bless YOU
Protect YOU
Smile on YOU
Gracious to YOU
Show YOU favor
Give YOU peace

We often feel, or believe that God wants to bless someone else. But He wants to bless YOU! He wants to bless ME! Spurgeon relayed it this way:

“The Lord bless thee”,
“Oh! But I don’t deserve it!”
Just so, but …
“The Lord bless thee”,
“I am so unworthy; I am so backsliding.”
Yes, but the Lord Jesus Christ knows all, covers all.

So, Spurgeon instructs us to hear it as God means it; a blessing for you!

“The Lord bless you… you, and keep you;
the Lord make His face to shine upon you
and be gracious unto you:
the Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
and give you peace.”

Oh, to have that molded and hammered, shaped and engraved into our hearts!

God wants to bless ALL people; not just the ones set apart for His service or called to ministry. He wants to bless ALL of us! And as He blesses us, we must receive it by faith like Jacob who would “not let go until You bless me!” (Genesis 32:26)

Do we want that?
Do we ask for or insist on that?
When was the last time you said to God, “I won’t let go of You until You bless me!”?
Because … He will!

“For I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10

“When God says, ‘I will’,
all the devils in hell cannot turn aside the blessing
and all the ages of eternity
cannot change the King’s word.”
Spurgeon

The Blessing (Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe)

‘Lena Ehlert
c.2022