The Face of Blessing
Feb 23, 2007
Numbers 5-6, Mark 4:1-20
Key Verses: Numbers 6:24-26
Today when I read these verses, I think of pastors in my youth who concluded the Sunday service with these words or those of other benedictions found in the Bible. As a child, I usually perceived the benediction as the beginning of the end. I would be ready to bolt from the pew as soon as the moment of silence-just long enough to let the pastor get a head start to the door-lasted.
Now I realize that there is more to these verses than the format for a formal conclusion. They are words of blessing, a prayer as such, imploring God to bless the hearer.
What joy there is when we realize that God's face is shining upon us, His graciousness is in our lives, He is watching over us and giving us peace!
In the same way, what joy there should be when we ask God to do that for others. In a self-centered life, we want. In a Christ-centered life, we give. Blessing is ours both to receive and to give. Find someone today for whom you can pray God's blessing.
Fill in the blank: "God, bless _____________ today." Then tell that person you prayed for him or her to be blessed.
