God Blesses

May the Lord bless you and protect you.  May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace. Numbers 6:24-26 NLT

Several years ago this ministry learned there is power in the words we speak for good or for evil. For example, through our words we have been given the authority to release God’s blessings. When we speak blessings over others, our circumstances, even over ourselves, the atmosphere shifts and we make a way for God to work in our hearts and lives.
 
This is definitely not a new concept. In fact, thousands of years ago the Lord God gave the blessing above from Numbers 6 to Moses who was to teach it to his priestly brother Aaron and his sons. The Israelites had been led out of slavery in Egypt and were about to wonder the desolate wasteland for years. They were quick to forget how God had saved them and was providing everything they needed. Perhaps they were a lot like you and me, in being too fast to complain when things seemed to go wrong.

In this environment God trained Moses what to pray over his people. Moses may have been overwhelmed with the responsibilities of leadership and fed up with their groaning. But God wanted his people to understand that he had not given up on them, but wanted to continue to bless them, even SMILE on them. Maybe you are going through a rough time right now. You need to know that God, not only is there with you and loves you, but HE LIKES YOU. Your gracious God looks at you and smiles.

So, here is the lovely blessing that God himself gave us to speak over ourselves and our families. It is timeless and powerful. The Lord knew exactly what his people needed to hear. The Holy Spirit wants to teach you how to bless others, too. Join God in the blessing business and learn to shift hearts and atmospheres.

Dear friends, may you remember every day that God is smiling on you. You can never disappoint or disobey him so much that he gives up on you. Look to him, turn from ways that you know displease him, and accept the truth that you are loved, understood and cherished. Receive his blessings. Amen.

Mary Sumner ~ October, 2020