Be blessed

Jacob blessing Joseph's sons
- Artist unknown

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Numbers 5-7; Psalm 41

TO CHEW ON: "The Lord bless you and keep you." Numbers 6:24

Doesn't your heart just take a deep breath and settle down as you read the verses of blessing in today's scripture? There is something in this Aaronic blessing that feels like a warm blanket when you're shivering, or a cool breeze on a hot day, or a table loaded with food when you're hungry.

This blessing of only three lines (actually one, partitioned by semicolons) contains six actions. Let's look closely at them in order to soak up every bit of this blessing's goodness.

"The Lord bless..."
To bless someone means to consecrate, make holy, honour, exalt, glorify, bestow happiness and prosperity on. It's a powerful enough interaction between people—how much more when the blessing bestowed is the blessing of the Lord. How rich we are!

"..and keep you"
Keep (shamar) means to guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save the life of. When we keep something we retain the possession of it; we don't give it away. God holds onto us in that way. How safe we are!

"The Lord make His face shine upon you..."
The word "shine" ('owr) alludes to the shine of the sun, to illumine, to become lighted up, to make shine as of the face. Watch a mother's face light up when she sees her child. That's how God's face lights up when He looks at you and me. How loved we are!

"...and be gracious to you"
Gracious (chanan[a]) means to show favour, be gracious toward, have mercy on. It is characterized by showing kindness, affability. To be gracious means to be full of compassion and mercy. God is disposed that way toward us. How favored we are!

"The Lord lift up His countenance upon you..."
The picture here is similar to God making His face shine on us. I see, in addition, a focused attention, like a parent looking straight into a child's eyes. God looks straight at and into us. How known we are!

"...and give you peace."
Give (suwm) means to extend, establish, bring to pass peace - a state of mental or physical quiet or tranquility, calm, repose, reconciliation, freedom from mental agitation or anxiety. When God pours His peace over  and into us, how settled we are!

May we realize every part of this blessing as we head into 2015.

PRAYER: Dear God, Your blessing is what we need and want more than anything else, as we enter the new year. Amen.

PSALM TO PRAY: Psalm 41

The Bible Project VIDEO: Numbers (Torah Series)



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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

God's protection

Image: waldomiguez / pixabay.com

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Zechariah 1:18-2:13

TO CHEW ON: "'For I,' says the LORD, 'will be a wall of fire around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.'" Zechariah 2:5


Accompanying Zechariah's encouragement to the people to rebuild the temple, indeed all of Jerusalem, is his prophetic promise to the people of God's protection. The picture here (Zechariah 2:4,5) is of a town so bulging with people they spill out the city walls. But they don't need to worry about safety. God says: "'I will be a wall of fire around her and I will be the glory in her midst.'"

This scene takes us back to the exodus when the Egyptians pursued the Israelites to take them back into slavery. God used a cloud or wall (of light, darkness, fire) to protect the people from their enemies then, and here is His promise to do it again (Exodus 14:8,9, 19, 20, 24-28).

This situation reminds us as well of the heavenly army God sent to protect Elisha and his servant at Dothan when the King of Syria set out to capture him - 2 Kings 6:17.

There are many many verses in the Bible that promise God's protection to those who put their trust in Him. Some of my favorites:

 "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" - 2 Chronicles 16:9.

"The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them" - Psalm 34:7

"He shall cover you with His feathers
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shilled and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side,
And then thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you." Psalm 91:4-7

Let's claim God's protection today!

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You that "Your hand is not shortened that it cannot save, Your ear not heavy that it cannot hear" the cries of those who are Yours. Amen (quoting Isaiah 59:1).

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Safe!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Psalm 91:1-16

TO CHEW ON: “Because you have made the Lord who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.” Psalm 91:9-10

This is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. I don’t know how often I have sought it out when I have felt fearful, anxious about safety, or concerned about my health or the health of my family.

I love the images of God as protector and safe place.

• We can live under His wings as baby birds find warmth, comfort, and safety from the elements under the wings of mother bird.
• He is a fortress. Picture one of those castles in Europe, built on inaccessible mountainsides.
• He is a refuge. In Israel, there were designated cities of refuge where a person could run to when accused of killing someone. Inside a city of refuge, the accused was guaranteed safety from revenge killing.
• He is a deliverer. The picture is of someone springing the trap to loose a bird.
• His truth is protection – both as a shield and a small shield (buckler).
• His presence defends from personal attack, sickness and war.
• He assigns our care to angels.
• He transcends the natural order of nature to keep us safe.
• He gives us a place of honor.
• He answers our prayers.
• He rewards us with long life.

Why all this special attention? “Because you have made the Lord who is my refuge, even the most High, your dwelling place.” (91:9)

A sidebar article in my Bible sheds light on "refuge" and "dwelling place":

[“The word makhseh translated “refuge” means “a shelter,” “a place of trust,” and derives from the root khawsaw meaning “to flee for protection,” “to confide in.”

Maween translated “dwelling place” indicates “a retreat.” It derives from the root 'onah which describes the security of “intimately dwelling together in marriage.”]

When we make the Lord our refuge and habitation by trusting Him – taking our cares, fears and needs to Him; by seeking His counsel, spending times of refreshing with Him, and by loving Him and walking closely with him through every day, we enter into a sheltered place of promise….” New Spirit Filled Life Bible p. 758 – Nathaniel M. Van Cleave.)

Do we dwell in God like that? Do any of the images of God as savior and protector resonate with us? Let's take those pictures with us today. Let's revel and relax in His care today.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Your intimate knowledge of and care for me. Help me to confide in You and make You my retreat. I make You my safe place today. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

What God values

"He will rejoice over you with singing" (pixabay.com)

TODAY'S SPECIAL: Zephaniah 3:1-20

TO CHEW ON: "I will leave in your midst
a meek and humble people,
And they shall trust in the name of the Lord." Zephaniah 1:12

After all the dire predictions, the "woe"s and scoldings and lectures, Zephaniah ends his prophecy on a positive note. Zephaniah 3:8-20 expresses God's love and fierce loyalty to those who are faithful and return to Him.

Though this passage is addressed primarily to Israel it does also have an international component: "… the peoples…That they all may call on the name of the Lord…From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia My worshipers, the daughters of My dispersed ones, shall bring My offering" - Zephaniah 3:9,10. And so we take the liberty of applying its truths to ourselves.

These verses show us some of the things God values. They also show us how He will intervene on behalf of those who adopt His values.

God values:

• Truth:

"For then I will restore to the peoples a pure language…" Zephaniah 3:9.
"The remnant of Israel shall do no unrighteousness and speak no lies" - Zephaniah 3:13.

• Humility:

"For then I will take away from your midst those who rejoice in your pride, and you shall no longer be haughty… I will leave in your midst a meek and humble people" - Zephaniah 3:11,12.

• Meekness:

"I will leave in your midst a meek ... people" - Zephaniah 3:12.

For those who adopt His values, God will:

• Restore:

"For then I will restore to the people a pure language…" Zephaniah 3:9.
"At that time I will bring you back… I will gather you… I return your captives before your eyes" - Zephaniah 3:20.

• Remove shame:

"In that day you shall not be shamed for any of your deeds" - Zephaniah 3:11.

• Protect:

"They shall trust in the name of the Lord" - Zephaniah 3:12
"For they shall feed their flock and lie down, and no one shall make them afraid" - Zephaniah 3:13.
"He has cast out your enemy… You shall see disaster no more - Zephaniah 3:15.

• Cancel judgment:

"The Lord has taken away your judgments" - Zephaniah 3:15.
"The Lord your God is in your midst, the Mighty One will save" - Zephaniah 3:17.

• Comfort:

"He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing" - Zephaniah 3:17.

• Show favor:

To those who were lame and driven out:  "… I will appoint them for praise and fame … I gather you; for I will give you fame and praise" - Zephaniah 3:19,20.


In our time when responding to enemies—personally to internationally—with truth, humility and meekness feels all wrong, let's remember God's promises to His people through Zephaniah. He is the Mighty One who gives ultimate protection and safety. By living in His ways of truth, humility, and meekness, we position ourselves for the spiritual freedom, protection, comfort and favor that only His intervention can bring about.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for these beautiful promises of restoration, protection, safety, comfort and favor. In these times of uncertainty, help me to live in truth, humility and meekness. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

God keeps us - 2

Jesus  by the Sea - Alexandre Bida

TODAY'S SPECIAL: John 17:12-26

TO CHEW ON: " 'While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.' " John 17:12

What a comfort to hear Jesus pray for us! Yesterday we went through the Bible gathering reminders of God's keeping power. Today we'll look at some of the specific ways Jesus refers to in His prayer, in which we are kept.

We are:

• Kept in the Father's name - John 17:11. The name of someone represents the essence of all he or she is. We are kept by all God is—His attributes of omnipotence, omnipresence, omniscience, love, holiness etc.

• Kept in safety - John 17:12. No lost sheep Jesus prays to Father God.

• Kept in joyfulness - John 17:13. " 'My joy fulfilled in themselves.' " When I think of Jesus being joyful, I think of Him with the Samaritan woman. Remember His reaction when the disciples tried to pull His attention from the food of ministry to physical food? He declined their food and said, " 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me …' " and then He talked about rejoicing over the harvest that results - John 4:31-36.

• Kept in purity - John 17:15. Jesus prayed that we would be kept pure (" '… keep them from the evil one…' ") even while we're still in the world.

• Kept separated from the world - John 17:16. After coming to Christ and finding we no longer buy into the world's systems and values, its inevitable to feel like a misfit. Yet there is still the desire to fit in and the temptation to conform. Jesus wants us to be okay with that sense of alienation from the world. He prays that our separation will persist.

• Kept in the process of sanctification - John 17:17. Sanctify means to set apart. How are we established in this set-apartness? By God's Word. The Bible is the guidebook, map and North Star of this life in Christ.

• Kept in active service - John 17:18. Though we are separated from the world, we are sent into it.

• Kept in unity - John 17:20, 21. What a testimony to the world when we as Christians get along.

• Kept for coming glory - John 17:22-24. Jesus lived as a man with His disciples. We read their accounts and relive His life on earth at a distance. But what Jesus wants is for all His disciples to see Him in reality: " '… that they may behold My glory which You have given Me …' " and be part of it: " '… and the glory which You gave Me, I have given them.' "

What aspect of Jesus' keeping do we need today? Let's claim it in faith and live as precious, kept children!

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, thank You for this prayer that encompasses believers across the ages. Please help me to claim and live by faith in God the Father's keeping power. Amen.

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Unless otherwise noted all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Safe!

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Psalm 91:1-16

TO CHEW ON: “Because you have made the Lord who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.” Psalm 91:9-10

This is one of my favorite chapters in the whole Bible. I don’t know how often I have sought it out when I have felt fearful, anxious about safety, or concerned about my health or the health of my family.

I love the images of God as protector and safe place.

• We can live under His wings as baby birds find warmth, comfort, and safety from the elements under the wings of mother bird.
• He is a fortress. Picture one of those castles in Europe, built on inaccessible mountainsides.
• He is a refuge. In Israel, there were designated cities of refuge where a person could run to when accused of killing someone. Inside a city of refuge, the accused was guaranteed safety from revenge killing.
• He is a deliverer. The picture is of someone springing the trap to loose a bird.
• His truth is protection – both as a shield and a small shield (buckler).
• His presence defends from personal attack, sickness and war.
• He assigns our care to angels.
• He transcends the natural order of nature to keep us safe.
• He gives us a place of honor.
• He answers our prayers.
• He rewards us with long life.

Why all this special attention? “Because you have made the Lord who is my refuge, even the most High, your dwelling place.” (91:9)

A sidebar article in my Bible sheds light on "refuge" and "dwelling place":

“The word makhseh translated “refuge” means “a shelter,” “a place of trust,” and derives from the root khawsaw meaning “to flee for protection,” “to confide in.”

Maween translated “dwelling place” indicates “a retreat.” It derives from the root 'onah which describes the security of “intimately dwelling together in marriage.”

When we make the Lord our refuge and habitation by trusting Him – taking our cares, fears and needs to Him; by seeking His counsel, spending times of refreshing with Him, and by loving Him and walking closely with him through every day, we enter into a sheltered place of promise….” New Spirit Filled Life Bible p. 758 – Nathaniel M. Van Cleave.)

Do any of the images God as protector resonate with you? Take the picture of that with you today. Revel in His care today.

PRAYER: Dear God, thank You for Your intimate knowledge of and care for me. Help me to confide in You and make You my retreat. I make You my safe place today. Amen.

MORE:

Psalm 91 by Lincoln Brewster