Daily Devotional “The Lord Bless You…”
Be different!
October 17, 2022
The Lord bless you
and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.
The other day an old friend stopped by my office for a visit. As he was leaving, he turned at the doorway and said, “God bless you, friend.”
Immediately I replied, “And I receive it!”
We didn’t say those words to be polite, cordial, or pleasant. We both meant it. I want to keep my heart open and receptive to any blessings or favor from God that might be coming my way, and I want to announce that intention to any angel or demon who might be listening in.
What’s more, I want to make sure God himself hears me say that I am open, receptive, and happy to receive whatever life, divine energy, or supernatural joy he desires to impart on me. Many times, I have found, he gives me that kind of grace and energy when a Christian brother or sister chooses to speak a blessing over me.
Yes, I know that the word blessing has become something of a Christian cliché. We will say, “Someone bless the food,” rattle off a quick “Bless you” when we part from friends, or maybe sign off an email with the term “Blessings.”
It’s a nice way to speak, of course, but when we use that term so nonchalantly, we allow it to be drained of its actual significance and power. In reality, a blessing is serious business.
In the book of Numbers, the Lord was so intentional about this matter of blessing others that he gave his servant Moses precise instructions. He said, “This is how you are to bless the Israelites.
Say to them: ‘The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace’” (6:23-26).
Then God added, “So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them” (verse 27).
In other words, this isn’t just some easy, convenient phrase to toss out there like “So long” or “See you later”; this is (or should be) a divine transaction.
For however many days the Lord gives me on earth, I want to receive his blessings, and I want to give his blessings. The Apostle Paul said that when God makes his face to shine upon you, he enables you to shine in that same way—to actually shine with the reflected glory of God (see 2 Corinthians 3:18).
The more you absorb the Lord’s presence throughout your day, the more you will have to shine out to others. They will catch a glimpse of Jesus himself in your smile, and in your eyes.
Going Deeper
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
2 Corinthians 3:18, NLT
Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Today—this very day of your life—is all about receiving and giving. First, receive the favor, love, kindness, and light God has for you in Christ, but then release it to others at the first opportunity.
Daily Devotional “The Lord Bless You…” | Daily Devotional “The Lord Bless You…” | Daily Devotional “The Lord Bless You…”
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