Numbers 6:1-7:89
Mark 12:38-13:13
Psalm 49:1-20
Proverbs 10:27-28
Numbers 6:24 ‘May the Lord bless you
and protect you.
25 May the Lord smile on you
and be gracious to you.
26 May the Lord show you his favor
and give you his peace.’
This is a common benediction (blessing) for a church service or other religious service or gathering. The benediction is a blessing bestowed on the listener/congregation by the priest, pastor or teacher.
Numbers 6:27 Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”
When it is given it should be more than just words but a genuine prayer of desired blessing trusting that God will do it for all in attendance. We have seen over and over again the importance of a heart that trusts in God and the power of the Name of the Lord. The next time you receive a benediction open your heart so fully receive it believing that the Lord Himself is who is blessing you and give thanks.
Mark 12:43 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. 44 For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”
It is not how much we give but the heart that we give from that matters. Those who are willing to give all they have must trust in God's blessing on them. When we believe in God's promise to bless us, protect us, smile on us, be gracious to us and give us peace, He will. If only every believer would trust in the blessing they are given in the benediction of the service and give from a heart that is open to give as much a blessing to the church as they receive from the Lord.
Psalm 49:5 Why should I fear when trouble comes,
when enemies surround me?
6 They trust in their wealth
and boast of great riches.
7 Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death
by paying a ransom to God.
8 Redemption does not come so easily,
for no one can ever pay enough
9 to live forever
and never see the grave.
Those who are wealthy and trust more in their wealth than the blessings of God are struggling with what god they worship. God the creator of all things, the Son Jesus Christ who died for their sin and rose again so that we may live also and the Spirit who is our councilor and teacher or wealth, power, and possessions. We can't buy our way into heaven. Even giving large amounts of money as those who were at the temple when Jesus was there won't save us. Only faith in Jesus can save us and when we accept that gift we are given the Spirit that can change our hearts if we allow Him to. If giving is done in a boastful prideful way where one hand gives enough to look generous, but the other hand is holding on tightly to the rest out of fear, pride, envy, judgement or whatever other reason we may have, then our hearts need to be examined. Where do we believe our blessings come from. Do we trust our Creator, Saviour and Councilor to bless us provide for us and give us peace or do we trust in our own labor and financial status?
Psalm 49:15 But as for me, God will redeem my life.
He will snatch me from the power of the grave.
Salvation can only come from God Himself. He has made that available to everyone even gentiles through His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is our Redeemer and because He lives we will also. I thank you Lord that You have snatched me from the power of the grave.
If you have never opened your heart and your hands to Jesus and asked Him to come into your life, why not do it right now. Just tell Him that you recognize the sin in your life and that you are unable to do or pay enough to be saved. Acknowledge your faith in His loving sacrifice that He made on the cross to forgive those sins, giving you access to the Father. Express your belief in the fact that He rose from the dead and snatched you from the power of the grave and thank Him for the promise of eternal life that He give you. Then ask the Holy Spirit who comes to live in you to open your heart mind and hands to respond as He would have you respond to the blessing in your life.
Proverbs 10:27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness,
but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.
24 “‘“The Lord bless you
and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
Amen and Amen and Amen