July 11, 2015

“The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: 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. So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6:22-27

“Usually at the close of our worship services the pastor pronounces the benediction, “The Lord Bless you and keep you….(Numbers 6:22-27). Archbishop Nathan Soderblom claimed this was the most beautiful part of the service. It is in fact a prayer that we might ever be found in the light of the face of Christ. As the light of the sun is the source of all earthly life so the light in the face of Jesus Christ is the source of our earthly joy and eternal hope.” Conrad J. I. Bergendoff (1895 – 1997) Unpublished Meditation “The Light of His Countenance” “For All The Saints” volume IV, (p. 158-159)

The above blessing, from Numbers 6, is often referred to as the Aaronic Blessing. It is also my favorite blessing for it casts a blessing upon people like a song casts a mood on those attending a concert. It is a blessing that, when given at the end of the service, can send people off with not only a blessing, but a lightness that reminds them that the Holy Spirit leaves with them to protect, to lift, to lighten, and to give them peace.

We live in a world that seeks to remove the peace from our lives. Sometimes we have to go to great lengths to find some peace. Where do you choose to seek peace in your day, week, and/or life? How often can you find true peace?

Today, I hope these words help you find some peace, and that they lift you to understand the blessings that G*d has given to all through Jesus:

“The Lord Bless you and keep you; The Lord make His shine on you and be gracious unto you….”

Pastor Dave