Blessing - Pt 1

The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:22-26 ESV). Our reading today is most easily remembered as a part of “the Irish Blessing.” Of course, that blessing was developed from the Scripture. I have often used this passage as the last pronounced prayer of weddings I have officiated. I am reminded today of the many times it has become reality in my life. After all, it is time in our calendar when we are encouraged to think of such things. Perhaps the next few devotionals will help you to be a bit more reflective this year as well.

I went back into my files and grabbed the photo attached today to begin with. It was taken this year when Mary and I visited Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Not much has changed over the years in “the Village” of downtown Gatlinburg. Most of the shops are the same and the decorations each year seem to be just as vibrant and wonderful as ever. We have had many photos taken through the years on this little bench set in front of the fountain in the center of the area. I honestly don’t know how many times we have been to this spot over the past fifty years, but each was a blessing. That’s the beauty of memories. They never really go away. They continue to bring us blessing. Today, I want to bring you to a few thoughts surrounding the concept of “blessing.” It is somewhat amusing that home décor stores do not seem to have gotten the message of real blessing. They have shelves stocked with all kinds of signs and accessories so we can declare to the world, or at least anyone who comes into our homes, that we are indeed “blessed.” The real issue is what does it really mean that we are blessed? Is it an expression of gratitude for the things we have, the health we enjoy, or the people we love? Are these things really at the center of what it means to be blessed? Well, the first thing we learn from this Scripture is that God is the source of every blessing in our lives. He blesses us by keeping us secure, extending his grace, and flooding our lives with his healing and wholeness. He is fully engaged, fully determined, and fully able to fill our lives with the security, grace, and peace we all long for. This is not merely during those experiences that delight us. It is not just when we seem to enjoy the bounty that we call to mind when we think about the holidays. It is so much more. It is the work of the Lord in our lives. Today, think of how God has blessed you! Look past your hurt and circumstance and see His grace.