Benediction blessing

Num 6:22  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Num 6:23  Speak unto Aaron and unto his sons, saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, Num 6:24  The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: Num 6:25  The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: Num 6:26  The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

 This is the benediction blessing that the priests were to pronounce on the people at the conclusion of worship.  As they left the worship ceremony, this was the thought that was to be on their minds.  Notice first that it was God who commanded this blessing.  This blessing expresses God’s intent and desire to bless His people.  The blessing expresses God’s promise to keep, to protect, and to bless.  His face shining on us has the idea of living with the smile of God’s approval on us.  His countenance is His ever watchful care.  How much God desires us to know His love and concern for us!  How great is His desire to bless His children!

Find rest

Mat 11:28  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mat 11:29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Mat 11:30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

 Jesus extends an invitation to come to Him and find rest.  How much we need peace and rest.  Are you struggling under a heavy burden?  Then this invitation is for you.  Notice the meekness and kindness of Jesus. He is compassionate, He will restore the fire where just smoke remains. He will strengthen when is seems all strength is gone.  He is not a hard task master; His way is not hard and burdensome.  Come to Him and find the rest you long for.

Stay the course

Jos 1:7  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

 It takes courage and strength to live as God has instructed us to live.  There are forces that try to pull us both to the right and to the left.  God’s blessing is on those who neither take away from His Word, nor add to it.  We prosper spiritually when we follow God and God alone. 

Trust Him

Mat 6:30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

We are so very prone to fret and worry!  Jesus challenges us to consider how well God takes care of His creation.  If God is concerned about the grass and plants, how much more is will He take care of His very own children!  (O we of little faith)  Let us look to the great Creator with the trust and faith that He so richly deserves.   

A better way

Pro 15:17  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

Hatred, ill will and bitterness spoil everything.  Where love is, life is good.  Even the finest things of life are spoiled by ill will, hostility and hatred.  Many people chase many things they think will make their life good, while neglecting the most important ingredient.  Let’s make sure we pursue that which will make life good.  Live in love. 

Do what is right

Pro 10:9  He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

 How often we are reminded that the only safe and sure path in life is the path of obedience and righteousness.  When we live our life in integrity, doing what is right, we live securely.  But, those who live dishonestly will be found out

Trust Him

Psa 9:10  And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.

 The better we know God, the more we will trust Him because He is altogether trustworthy.  God has not, does not and will not forsake those who seek and trust Him.  Determine to know Him better and trust Him more.

Compassionate

Psa 41:1  Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.

 We are prone to become self-centered, especially in times of difficulty.  Here is a promise to those that are considerate of the needy around them.  If we are compassionate on those in need, God has promised to be merciful and deliver us in our time of difficulty.

Safety

Isa 51:12  I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; Isa 51:13  And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?

 Isa 54:17  No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.

 Safety is promised the servants of the Lord.  Why should we be afraid of mere humans when we have the almighty Creator on our side?  The servants of the Lord are promised that ultimately no weapon, no slander or lies will prevail against us.  This is our heritage.  Take courage, continue faithful, trusting God in the midst of opposition. 

Easter

Mat 28:1  In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. Mat 28:2  And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. Mat 28:3  His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: Mat 28:4  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. Mat 28:5  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. Mat 28:6  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

 We celebrate today the greatest event in all the history of mankind…the event to which all of creation was looking.  Full salvation of both body and soul was accomplished.  The power and guilt of sin was removed at the cross just days earlier.  This Easter morning the power and fear of death was defeated.  Jesus arose from the grave, in a resurrected body.  His resurrection proved He was the Son of God, and gave us the promise and hope of victory over death. Not just life, but life without end in a resurrected body, in a new heaven and new earth, where there will be no more wickedness, sin, suffering, sickness and sorrow. Let us pour out our hearts in praise and worship today.

Everlasting love

Jer 31:3  The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

 The love of God is from eternity and is everlasting.  For this reason, God continues His faithfulness and kindness toward us.  It’s who God is; it’s His very character and nature.  We who love Him in return have every reason to continue to trust Him and His faithful love and care. 

He died for our sins

Joh 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: Joh 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. Joh 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Joh 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

 This day is a solemn day…it is the day we remember the unspeakable gift made for our forgiveness.  As Jesus was lifted up on the cross to die, our forgiveness was purchased.  It was the love of God that gave this unspeakable gift, so that we might receive the gift of life without end.  Allow yourself time today to meditate on this truth.  Then, spend some time in humble worship and adoration with our Savior.   

Don't worry

Php 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.   Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

 This is a very well known verse, yet how difficult we find it to truly practice!  We are instructed to not worry, but instead to bring all of our requests to God in earnest prayer. Notice also that our prayer is to include real thankfulness.  If we do this, we are promised peace, the peace of God, the assurance of God that is only really known by experience.  This peace, through Jesus Christ, guards us from fears and anxiety. 

He's still working on me

Psa 138:8  The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.

 I am thankful that God is still working on me!  The Psalmist expresses his confidence that God will do whatever further is needed to be done in his life.  By His mercy, He will complete the salvation that He has begun. Don’t quit on God, and He won’t quit on you.  

I will not fear

Psa 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

 In the darkest and most trying hours of our life, we need not fear because our God is with us. The rod and the staff are symbols of God’s care as a shepherd.  Our comfort is draw from His watchful care and protection, even in the most dire of situations.

Give Him your worries

Psa 55:22  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

 When we bring our burdens, our cares, our worries to God, He will sustain us.  He will keep us and support us. The promise God makes to us is this: If we will bring our burdens to Him, give them to Him, then He will keep us safe. We will not be moved, not shaken.

Real life

Joh 11:26  And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

 The real reward of this Christian life is life without end.  That is the promise held out to us again and again.  This eternal life is found by believing in Jesus Christ and then living in Him.  Let’s keep our eye on the goal.

Cleansed and freed

Heb 10:16  This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; Heb 10:17  And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.

 The purpose of salvation is to have our relationship with God restored.  In this great salvation the guilt of sin is cleansed and the power of sin is broken. We who have been redeemed will obey because our hearts and minds have embraced God's love, God’s will, God’s way, God’s laws. This great salvation brings a freedom from the guilt of sin, as well as freedom from the power of sin. Live in this freedom and fellowship with God.

Continue faithful

Deu 12:28  Observe and hear all these words which I command thee, that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee for ever, when thou doest that which is good and right in the sight of the LORD thy God.

 We all want a good life.  We all want good things for our families.  The path to a good life both for us and our children is the path of obedience.  We need to take careful heed to God’s commandments so that it may go well for us and for our children.  Continue faithful in this unsettled time.

He will fight for us

Deu 20:4  For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.

It is a great comfort to know that we are not in life’s battles alone. As God’s children, He is with us, to fight for us.  Were it not for this fact, many of life’s battles would seem terrifying, insurmountably difficult.  But, we are not alone!  The very Creator of the universe is by our side. There is nothing, no battle, no trial, no difficulty, that is too much for our God!