The God Who Blesses Us

Occasionally we hear people say they're blessed instead of the more common expression of being lucky. This usually refers to belief in God's care for them-their words a lens into their hearts. How about you? Do you acknowledge being lovingly blessed by a Heavenly Father and Savior with your long-term interest in Their sovereign hands, or is luck still a part of your personal vocabulary?

Consider Jesus Christ's words in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12), as He declared blessing after blessing to those who would follow Him and seek to reflect His "spiritual DNA," even as He revealed what His own Father, our Heavenly Father, is like (Matthew 11:27; John 14:9). He not only "talked the talk," but most importantly practiced it to His last human breath. As He died, Jesus was confident in proclaiming, "Father, ‘into your hands I commit My Spirit'" (Luke 23:46). For through His perfect sacrifice would come the greatest blessing of all-the "brick wall" of death would crumble, and the "door" of life (see John 10:9) framed by Jesus' sacrifice would open wide our access to God's throne in heaven.

How can we as disciples of Christ today heed our Master's invitation of "Follow Me" (Matthew 4:19; John 21:22), as we internalize His commitment to accept God's will-not by happenstance or "luck," but blessings from Above? Where do we begin?

"This is the way you shall bless"

Consider a young lad from Nazareth going up to Jerusalem during the annual biblical festivals and entering the temple courts. It's here that the priests would offer God's personal blessing to the assembled throngs. This was not something written the night before by an anxious priest to hopefully "get it right" for the big day ahead, but was a "golden oldie"-nearly 1,500 years old, drafted by one Author, the one true God. The blessing spoken by the priests in Jesus' day was the same that God personally gave to Moses to pass on to Aaron the high priest and his sons (Numbers 6:22-27).

This self-disclosure from God was to reveal and forever remind those who would follow Him what He was like and how He felt about His chosen flock-be it Israel of old or the spiritual "Israel of God" today (Galatians 6:16), the Body of Christ. The God of Israel, Author of all life, whose character doesn't change (Malachi 3:6), commanded His priesthood, "This is the way you shall bless" (Numbers 6:23). Repetition is the best form of emphasis, and God never wants us to forget His love for us.

So where do we begin to understand God's love and sustaining grace-His ongoing bestowal of favor and goodwill toward us-in this ageless blessing? There are seven great truths in this singular blessing by which you can embrace, experience and in turn express God's love. Each begins with God and moves to the direct object of His affection-you and me and all who heed His Son's call of "Follow Me."

Seven revealed truths in the priestly blessing of Numbers 6:

1. God wants to bless us.

"The Lord bless you . . ." (Numbers 6:24).

God's call for blessing from Him reveals that He wants to bless us-indeed, even more than we would seek (compare Ephesians 3:20). Have you ever thought about that? The Hebrew word translated "bless," barak, speaks to a declaration. God is boldly expressing His intent of generosity. The New Testament Greek term for blessing is makarios, pointing to general happiness. In the ancient world this terminology was used for completeness in which nothing was lacking.

This is echoed in the imagery of Psalm 23:1: "The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want [or suffer lack]." There is no need to look elsewhere even when external pressures are knocking on the door of our hearts. And such pressures do come! Remember, though, that Jesus never said it would be easy, but He did say it would be worth it! With this verse in mind, remember our Master blessed us by stating, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is well pleased [a form of Greek eudokeo, "think good"] to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32, New English Translation).

2. God wants to keep us.

". . . and keep you . . ." (Numbers 6:24).

Yes, the God of blessings wants to reassure us that He is watching over us physically and spiritually-that we are not alone! Humanly we can at times have a "cave-in," joining the prophet Elijah in his temporary dark abode (see 1 Kings 19:9), thinking God has forgotten this portion of His blessing. Thus, the importance of our rehearing and not forgetting. It reminds us that our God is on the job and awake towards His spiritual children The Hebrew word for "keep," shanar, means to observe, to take heed. Yes, we are kept! Personally, I like that feeling-but I need to remember its Source and praise Him as the apostle Jude did: "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 24).

You might be saying, "Well, what about accidents, death?" Yes, the "whys" bubble to the surface. "Where is the keeping?!" Question: Is there someplace in Scripture where God promised that all His followers would live long and die peacefully in this age? We have no say over length of life, only the quality of life offered moment by moment. And God will provide the strength and comfort as the need emerges-in life and in death. After all, His Son is Master over both worlds! (Revelation 1:18).

3. God smiles at us.

". . . the Lord make His face shine upon you . . ." (Numbers 6:25).

A shining face is the mark of pleasure, as it is specifically focused on someone. Think of our joyful smile when our children accomplish a task or when our adult children walk in the door for a visit or the grandkids come running into our presence. We want to bathe them in our affection! And so does our Heavenly Father with us. No matter how old any of us are, we are all children to the One known as the Ancient of Days.

Consider the words of God in Isaiah 66:2: "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite [or repentant] spirit, and who trembles at My word." Have you ever thought of God's acknowledging smile as His face looks down on you as you heed His words? As Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3).

4. God is gracious toward us.

". . . and be gracious to you . . ." (Numbers 6:25).

This is a godly reality and gift we need to constantly be reminded of-in an ungracious world of tit for tat and eye for eye that regards you only as good as your latest success. Grace in Hebrew, khen, means "favor" or goodwill being shown, while the Greek term charis refers to such favor bestowed as a gift in forging a relationship of mutual devotion. Through it we are forgiven of sin and empowered to walk in God's ways. We can't make it on our own. Hear the stories of Peter and Paul, and remember your own story apart from God's grace. Lock onto the reality that grace is not a mere event but an existence, as we continually strive to humble ourselves and experience God's ongoing sustaining grace to lift us up beyond ourselves.

5. God is forever attentive to us.

". . . the Lord lift up His countenance upon you . . ." (Numbers 6:26).

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who really wanted to be somewhere else, showing disinterest and non-engagement (a coach's time-out signal effectively written all over the person)? You are pouring your heart out when the person's cell phone rings, answered with, "Okay, I'll be right over." Hmmm! That is not our God! In His lifting of His countenance on you, you have His total laser-like focus and steadfast attention. Why? Because you are His child, and He loves you.

Jesus showed His trust in this reality outside the sepulcher of Lazarus when He prayed to the Father, needful of His partnership in raising His friend from the dead. We read: "Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, ‘Father, I thank you that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me . . .'" (John 11:41-42)

Like our Master, we, aware of the fifth vital truth in the blessing, should have an expectancy that God is partnering with us throughout the day in a focused and loving relationship. The key, though, is to follow Jesus' example to "look up" and invite our Heavenly Father into the process, knowing His countenance is upon us now and always.

6. God gives us peace.

". . . and give you peace" (Numbers 6:26).

Jesus on the last night of His human life offered a personal gift to us when stating: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). The tranquility of heart spoken about here is not the absence of trials, as we will have them, but a divinely granted positive well-being and inner strength even in times of challenge. Those with trusting reliance on God will walk in a wholeness and completeness through challenging circumstances. This peace can be spelled as "perspective." Simply put, our position before God's throne trumps whatever the condition might be on the ground. Such perspective allowed the apostle Paul to write that "the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding [going beyond the facts on the ground], will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

7. God will follow through on His promises.

"So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them" (Numbers 6:27).

Why are these words following the blessing so special? We have all experienced the promises of well-intentioned people who promise us the moon and come up empty. The beautifying element here is that God is simply and surely going to do as He says in blessing us, effectively declaring, "I will do it!" It is just as He declared about prophesying the future to encourage us in whatever comes our way: ". . . I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure'" (Isaiah 46:9-10).

Is it any wonder that the boy from Nazareth, assured through the oft-repeated, purpose-filled priestly blessing, would grow up to walk "the walk" to Golgotha for you and me? The same One left us a meaningful "P.S." to acknowledged blessing-a blessing in itself: "Follow Me."

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Follow Me: The God Who Blesses Us

Jesus Christ led a blessed life, and He and the Father desire the same for us. God gave His ancient priesthood specific words for blessing His people that assure us of His loving intentions toward us, encouraging us to press on in living according to God's will.