Blessing

The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

The words of this blessing were famously turned into a song by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes. It was adopted around the world as a way for Christians to bless people as the lockdowns struck during the coronavirus pandemic. Originally, it was a way for full time ministers of God to bless the people of God as a whole.

There's a sense in which God blesses everyone. The sun shines and the rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous alike. Yet if we want to be truly blessed for eternity, we need to trust in the LORD Jesus Christ for salvation.

We deserve God's curse upon us for our sinful rebellion against Him. Thankfully He wants to be gracious to us and to give us people. He's not waiting to catch us out or to trip us up.

Many Christians even think Jesus will have His head in His hands when He meets us in the end, being fully cognisant of how much we've messed up. Yet this verse suggests that Jesus will welcome us with open arms, His nail scarred hands outstretched and His face beaming with the warmth of His welcome.

'LORD our God, may You fulfil the words of this blessing in our lives. Please don't treat us as we deserve, but according to the riches of Your grace. For Your honour and praise we pray, amen'.

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