Beautiful Blessings

Happy New Year!

As one year draws to a close and a new year begins, Numbers 6:24-26 is on my mind and heart. It says, “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.”

Considered to be one of the most beautiful blessings in the Bible, and perhaps the most widely used benediction, this verse is found tucked away in a book of the Bible that many believers may not actually be too familiar with.

The book of Numbers was written by Moses, and in this book is found the narration of about forty years of Moses’ life. It is titled Numbers because two censuses are included (see Numbers chapters 1 and 26). Though the censuses taken are unique to this book in the Bible, it also has overarching themes beyond the numbering of the Israelites.

In Numbers, we find the concepts of being in the wilderness, God’s faithfulness, and human disobedience. It is in the early part of this book that we come across the noteworthy blessing.

Overall, the first line in this blessing means that when God will “bless and keep you,” He will provide for and protect you. What an amazing blessing! When we say this blessing over someone, we know that we are speaking God’s good provision in their life and God’s defense over them. This is a powerful blessing that calls upon God in mighty ways to meet our needs.

Beyond the first line of this blessing – the Lord keep you and bless you – which communicates and asks for God to provide for and protect his children, we discover more about who God is.

When God makes his face shine upon someone, it is a receiving of God’s favor. God wants his children to have his favor in their lives. Further, this blessing requests and speaks over someone God’s grace, and peace, and that God would remember the one being blessed. This blessing was spoken by God and shows us exactly what he wants for his children; peace, and grace, and goodness all of their days.

What an amazing God who desires to bestow this great blessing on his followers. This blessing is a remarkable indication of how deep God’s love and care for believers goes.

So, as we enter a new year, remember that God desires to bless, protect, provide for, and grant peace and favor to those who follow him. God loves you….and so did I!

Many Blessings!