Have you noticed that when your loved one leaves the house, you say ritualistic words to keep them and their safety? And do you worry that something might happen to them if you don’t say it? I think we’ve all done something like this at some point in our lives. There is no shame in wishing your loved ones a safe journey.
When the kids entered the driving phase, I always said, “Be careful!” If they hadn’t checked in, I’d say, “I was worried you were in the gutter.” When my son called to check in, he said, “We avoided all the ditches.” lol. Then, when they left the house, it became a joke for me to say, “Take your chances and be reckless.”
There is something about the words we speak about safety that brings comfort to those who speak them and blesses those who receive them. It shows the person how much we care about them and their safety.
A few years later, my son found himself in a situation that could have ended badly. He said to his daughter-in-law, “I know my mother was praying for me.” He was right. The words “be careful” always turned into prayers, and the son knew it. He believed I meant what I said, jokes aside.
Churches have similar “rituals” that the pastor proclaims to the congregation at the end of the service. It is a blessing that: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make your countenance shine, and be merciful to you; the Lord lift up your countenance, and give you peace.” This benediction actually has its origins in the words God spoke about Aaron and gave to Moses to bless all the children of Israel.
That’s amazing! Our Heavenly Father sends us forth with blessings of safety and comfort. But how many of us have made such a connection? Do we even believe the words of blessing? I confess that the Benediction has become so memorized that I don’t absorb it in a meaningful way every Sunday. I think I’m not alone…
Let’s see how we can live within the blessings of this very familiar church benediction.
Receive the Lord’s Blessings and Protection
“May the Lord bless you and keep you.” Numbers 6:24
Have you ever stopped and thought about what it really means to be blessed by God?
To be blessed by God means to have God’s favor. See?The next time you hear a blessing, remember that it is a declaration of God’s favor toward you. This includes spiritual blessings such as God’s presence, grace, and connection with God. To receive its benefits, we must actively participate through prayer, spend time in the Word, and be still before God. At such moments, you will experience the presence of God by connecting with Him.
After all, remember when you fell in love. How much do you think about that person when you’re not together? Were you looking forward to seeing you again? That quietness of knowing you love someone and they love you too.
After hearing the blessing, we should feel like this. God, who loves us with an everlasting love, sends us forth with words of grace. God’s love for us should cause us to frequently remember Him and desire to be in His presence. Carrying God’s love within us usually manifests in a desire to share that love with those we interact with, which in turn blesses others.
God’s blessing also includes protection. The God of the universe will “keep” us safe. Nothing can take us out of God’s hands. We are the bride of Christ. Nothing can separate us from God’s love.
God’s protection does not mean we will never suffer, but when we live in the blessings of blessings, we will seek God in our suffering and see how God gives us strength and patience in His safe arms.
After church this Sunday, listen to the blessings that will inspire you to live with God’s blessings and protection.
live in the light of God’s grace
“The Lord will make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.” Numbers 6:25
Have you ever been sitting next to a window in a sunny room and noticed that the sparkling jewelry you’re wearing reflects off the wall, dancing beautiful colors?
When we live in the light of God’s grace, we are allowing God’s light to be reflected back to us – all glory to God. Those around us see us relying completely and trusting God for strength in our daily lives.
When we show God’s grace to others, we are reflecting the light of Christ. Whether it’s through acts of love, such as kindness to strangers, compassion to the downtrodden, hospitality to the withdrawn, or helping in times of need. The list is endless.
Living in the light of God’s grace is one of gratitude. We acknowledge that we are sinners saved by grace. We do not take this for granted, but rather show the love of Jesus to others with humility, thereby reflecting the light of Jesus.
After church this Sunday, be a beacon of God’s grace to those around you and share the gifts you have received through your blessings. Be grateful and remember that God’s grace is a continuing gift to you.
EXPERIENCE GOD’S PEACE
The Lord will lift up his face to you and give you peace. ” Numbers 6:26
One day, when we receive our eternal reward, we will come face to face with Jesus. What a wonderful day!
As we read in the Bible, in the Old Testament, you could not see the face of God without being struck to death. But Stephen the Martyr… “But he was filled with the Holy Spirit, and looked up into heaven, and beheld the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55 Can you imagine? What peace he must have experienced as he was stoned to witness that magnificent sight.
In the above verse, the Lord is asking us to look directly into our eyes, so to speak. We know that the Lord is always watching over us. There is no place we can go where God cannot see us. But this passage serves as a reminder of God’s promise to that end.
Think about it. If you’ve had a difficult week, remember the benediction and remember that God is watching over you. he knows what’s going on. He understands your feelings. In fact, God orders your steps and has a purpose for your week. Not only that, but you also prayed blessings for me that week. Just remembering them brings the incredible peace of Christ.
Have you ever wondered what God’s peace really means? In this particular verse, the Hebrew word for peace means “not just the absence of war, but a sense of complete happiness, wholeness, and prosperity in all areas of life, both physical and spiritual.” Estimate generated by AI. oh! This is the kind of peace we all want right now
experience! And remember that this blessing was declared to you last Sunday. Why not accept it and walk in it!
Look for God’s presence in your week after church this Sunday. Know that God is watching over you. Thank the Lord for His grace. Live in the peace of this knowledge and bask in its blessings.
Father, thank you for this blessing. Help me to live in the blessings of Your Word each week. In Jesus name, amen
How will you choose to stand before God this week?
How will you live in the blessings of benediction this week?
Karen Dell Tattoo is a blogger, author, women’s ministry leader, pastor’s wife, mother, and grandmother who is passionate about God’s Word. Her blog, “Growing Together in Grace and Knowledge,” and her books, “Choosing to Trust God: Breaking the Habit of Worry,” “A 30-Day Devotional,” and “Choosing to Trust God Companion Journal,” reveal her heart offering biblical insights to inspire women to grow in, through, and overcome hardship. Karen and her husband live in Rhode Island and enjoy walking in the woods, petting owls, and spending time with their grandchildren.
