Bless and Keep

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.” So shall they put My name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:22-27 ESV)

Bless and Keep

The first part of God’s blessing through Aaron is a statement of fact, more than a promise.  God is not promising to bless us and keep us.  God is saying He DOES bless us and IS keeping us.

The two go hand in hand.  Because of the gracious nature of our salvation, we are blessed by God not as a reward, but as a result of the salvation that He has given to us.

To be saved IS to be blessed.  To be saved is more than a naïve hope of heaven someday (as fantastic a hope as that is!) But rather, to be saved is to experience God’s favor NOW, God’s smile NOW, God’s goodness NOW.

And these NOW blessings are not contingent on us.  He blesses AND keeps us. 

Because we are His… not because He is ours.

What a blessing it is that He keeps us.

Dominoes

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.” So shall they put My name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:22-27 ESV)

Dominoes

Recently on a movie set, the Director pointed out a problem to me.  I messaged one of my assistants.  She called one of her helpers.  He got in the car and drove to the grocery store.  The clerk sold him a particular item.  That item made its way back up the ladder until I used that item to keep away some mosquitos. 

Who defeated the mosquitos?

It was the Director.  He delegated, but did not give up authority.  He commanded, and his people carried out his wishes.  He spoke, and we acted for him, on his behalf, to help him, and simply because he said so.

In this passage, God spoke to Moses, who spoke to Aaron (and his sons) who spoke to the people of Israel, which in today’s world means Christians, and said an amazing thing.

It is God who speaks here, it is God who acts.  And God blesses us!

Notice who is speaking.

Not really Aaron’s sons, not really Aaron, not really Moses…  but God Himself.

He delegates, but HE blesses. 

We get to promise that same thing to others, too.  God promises His blessings, and we get to point those blessings out, enact those blessings, announce those blessings, carry out those blessings, proclaim those blessings, and DO those blessings.

But it is always Him.

Good Words

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.” So shall they put My name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:22-27 ESV)

Good Words

The word, ‘benediction’ comes from Latin, and means quite simply, “Good Speaking.” 

Words these days get a bum rap.  We think talk is cheap, rhetoric is useless, and actions speak louder than words.

But those cliches are not necessarily true.

God’s words count.  He created the universe through His words.  He gave us His Son, through His word.  In fact, Jesus Christ IS the Word long before He did anything on earth.

The Father of Lies has worked hard through the ages to diminish the power of God’s words.  But ultimately, Satan fails.  God’s Word and words are still the most powerful things in the universe.

God blesses His people first by speaking to us.  And what He speaks, His Word, is always good.

We like actions, we like proof, we like evidence, we like fulfilled promises.  And while history and our society give us good reason to doubt the words of Emperors, Kings, Presidents, Senators, Mayors, husbands, wives, parents, siblings, neighbors, friends, and even Lassie, God’s Words are true, reliable, powerful, and all that we need.

So God blesses us in this benediction, this good speaking, and that can fill us with hope.  God’s good words are greater than all the actions of everyone else.

The Benediction

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.” So shall they put My name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” (Numbers 6:22-27 ESV)

The Benediction

We’ll finish our examinations of our God’s blessings to His people with a few glances at the Benediction.  Many churches conclude our formal worship with these words.  Many churches believe that these words are intended to be spoken primarily by ordained pastors.  Many churches hear these words while extending our hands, closing our eyes, and/or being at peace.

However you are used to using or hearing these words, it might be helpful to realize that God spoke these words through Aaron and his sons as a verbal representation of the exact thing that we have been thinking about for the past couple of months: God’s blessings to His people.

God wants to bless His people.  God speaks in His word of blessing His people.  God does bless His people. And in our mundane moments, our tragedies, our sorrows, and or fears, it is a great thing to notice afresh His blessing, lest we become despondent.  Also, in our exciting moments, our triumphs, our joys, and our peace, it is a great thing to notice afresh His blessings, lest we become complacent.

God’s words are a blessing, most clearly THESE words.

Forever

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,  to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 24,25 ESV)

Forever

My favorite gloves have begun to stink.  I found it sadder than you might expect.  Those gloves protected me from sunburn, blisters, thorns, and allergic reactions.

But I will throw them away tomorrow.

And as I glance at my NEW gloves, I already feel a little sad.

Indeed, I am caught in the decaying affects of time’s web, and so are you.

But the purpose of the universe (God’s glory, majesty, dominion, and authority) are not effected by time.

They last forever.

If I had a pair of forever gloves, I would be content.

How much more should our rejoicing be when we apprehend that we are connected to the perfect perfection of God’s eternity.

Because He is forever, His love for me is forever.

Because He is forever, His forgiving grace is forever.

Because He is forever, His protection is forever.

Because He is forever, we become forever His.

What a blessing forever is.

Blameless

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,  to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 24,25 ESV)

Blameless

“It’s not MY fault,” we often claim.  When things break down around us, it is difficult to be humble enough to accept responsibility.  We would rather the blame shine on someone else.

But we are rarely blameless. 

That was too soft a sentence.  We are never really blameless.

But God in His mercy blames Jesus instead of His other children.

God in His mercy punishes Jesus instead of His other children.

God in His mercy takes joy in our second-hand innocence, and killed Jesus for His second-hand guilt.

What a blessing that blamelessness is.

Stumbling

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,  to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen (Jude 24,25 ESV)

Stumbling

Recently I was walking across a field in rural Kansas.  The ground was uneven, alternately squishy and firm, and hidden by various plants.  A friend was walking towards me, and suddenly shouted, “Look out!”  I looked out.

And barely missed a cactus. 

That friend prevented me from stumbling.  He warned me, he gave me an example of careful footing, and  he drew my attention to nearby dangers.

That is what God promises in this blessing.

He will prevent His children from stumbling.

His Word declares, “do not step THERE!”  but I do not always listen.

The Son walked carefully and safely, but I do not always follow Him.

His Spirit pulls my attention in the right direction, but I do not always pay attention.

But He keeps preventing.

He keeps me from stumbling, ultimately.

What a blessing His prevention is.

Community

And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed,  for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. (Acts 18:27,28 ESV)

Community

These verses tell the story of Apollos, a Greek convert who was a skilled orator.  But when God sent Apollos out to evangelize, Apollos was not alone.

God graciously gave Apollos community to aid Apollos’ work.

This is important for two reasons.  First, Apollos was a blessing to the community of Achaia.  He helped them  He added to their community.  He joined them.

Second, those Achaians were a blessing to Apollos.  He did not have to cold call on his own.  But the Achaians provided a base, support, friendship, and context to His evangelism.

What was good for one, was good for many.  And what was good for many was good for one.

God places His children in community for the benefit of the individual and the group.

It does not matter if the community or the individual is flawed.

Both are a blessing from God to the other.

We see this same concept in the Trinity. We also see this same concept when considering Christ and His church.

What a blessing community is.

Bad Rest

Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who feel secure on the mountain of Samaria. (Amos 6:1 ESV)

Bad Rest

Rest usually seems like a good thing.  Recently I have experienced and enjoyed short rests, long rests, deep rests, shallow rests, and temporary rests.

But those rests have never been enough.

Even after a good sleep, I sometimes yawn.  Even after a relieving time of relaxation, my bones have ached.  Even after a peaceful sunset with a cool breeze, the morning brings the curse of work.

Amos spoke condemning the rest that Judeans and Israelites depended on.  He says that their ease, their peace, their rest was actually a woe.

Because they rested in the wrong way, in the wrong place, in the wrong Person.

There is only one worthy, reliable, complete, restorative, and eternal rest:  the rest found in God through Jesus Christ.

We experience a taste of it, occasionally, now.

But the time is coming when we will REST.

Not because we’ve worked so hard, but because of God’s love.

Not because we deserve it, but because of God’s grace.

Not because of us, but because of God.

What a blessing HIS rest is!

Redeemer and redeemers

And now it is true that I am a redeemer. (Ruth 3:12 ESV)

Redeemer and redeemers

In my library, I have a lot of books, but only one Book.  I enjoy many movies, but I really have one Movie.  I have many friends, but one Friend.  I have lived quite a few days, but I really focus on one Day.

Ruth had a number of redeemers (her husband, her mother-in-law, Boaz), but only one Redeemer, the yet-to-be-born Christ Jesus.

In fact, Ruth’s many redeemers all directed her to the ONE redeemer.  Boaz may have been her immediate redeemer, but Boaz’s redemption was limited, temporary, and inadequate.

But her enjoyment of Boaz’s redemption taught her to seek the Redeemer, her Savior, the second person of the Trinity, Jesus Himself.

In the same way, perhaps you have redeemed someone.  But you are not the Redeemer.

Perhaps you have been redeemed.  But that redemption pales before the light of THE Redeemer.

We all need redemptions, and God graciously gives them to us.

Redeemers, big R and small r, are an amazing blessing.

Tools

After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed 600 of the Philistines with an oxgoad, and he also saved Israel. (Judges 3:31 ESV)

Tools

Many of my best tools were gifts.  My grandfather created amazing plumbing tools, and they were passed down to me.  My collection of battery powered drills and saws were mostly given to me by my father.  And some of the tools that I have purchased, were bought because an experienced craftsman gave me his knowledge and brought a useful tool to my attention.

We do not know much about Shamgar… but he had an oxgoad (a pointy stick to keep oxen in line) and he used it to kill 600 Philistines.  This short description of one of the Judges of Israel does not give us a lot to go by… but what we do know centers around that pointy stick.

As we read this description, we do not see a trained warrior, or battle commander, or a ninja.  We see a Shamgar doing the work God gave him, and becoming a hero.

God puts us in place, and puts the tools we need in our hands.

Whether that tool is a Bible verse to suggest to a hurting friend at just the right time, or a memory that can guide someone in trouble, or faith that encourages a downhearted companion.

God gives the tools, God sets the situation, and smiles as we do His work.

Not because we’ve trained for it (although training is a tool…); not because we have impressed God (although He looks favorably at His children); and not because He desperately needs us (although He desires to work through us).

What a blessing the Lord’s tools are.

Ehud

Then the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, and the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud, the son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. (Judges 3:15 ESV)

Ehud

Ehud was probably not a popular man.  He was from one of the lesser tribes of Israel.  And even worse, Ehud was left-handed.  His society would have doubted Ehud, mocked Ehud, and excluded Ehud.

But God wanted Ehud.

It is interesting that Ehud’s nemesis, Eglon, was probably also unpopular.  The story indicates that Eglon was not respected by his soldiers.  Also, Eglon was described simply as ‘fat.’  Back then, even more than today, Eglon’s physical trait would not have endeared him to his people.

But that is not what made God reject Eglon.

Because both men are here in history, at exactly the place they are, in exactly the situation they live, at exactly this time for one reason:  God is gracious.

God shows here that He is not as interested in individuals as we want Him to be.  Rather, God works in history AND in our lives in precisely the same way:  God is gracious. 

He loves His people, and so He disciplined through Eglon… and saved through Ehud.  No one would have expected God to use either man in that way.

So we are reminded to keep our eyes, our minds, our interpretations, and our expectations on God, and God alone.

God is not a respecter of persons (Romans 2:11) which lets us focus on Him, and Him alone.

What a blessing God’s actions are.

Othniel

But when the people of Israel cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people of Israel, who saved them, Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. (Judges 3:9 ESV)

Othniel

Crying out to the Lord works. 

Here, foreign Kings were oppressing the tribes of Israel… and while we do not know how long it took, they eventually cried out to God.

And God heard them.

But God was not rewarding the Israelites for finally crying out to Him.  He did not withhold His help until they said just the right words in just the right way.

But the crying out of the Israelites changed everything.  They finally knew they depended on Him.  They finally remembered they had a profound, rich, and beautiful relationship with Him.  They finally, with broken hearts, spoke to God as THEIR God, as THEIR Father, as THEIR helper.

God is gracious to His people.

And the Israelites finally acknowledged that, and were saved.

He is gracious to us, too, in the same way.  He helps because He loves His people, not because we said magical words.  He helps because He loves his people, not because we followed the right formula.  He helps because He loves His people, not because we proved ourselves.

He helps because He loves His people… so love HIM!

What a blessing God’s help is!

Leaders

Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the hand of those who plundered them.  Yet they did not listen to their judges… (Judges 2:16-17 ESV)

Leaders

These judges did not wear black robes and ensure that court cases were just.  Rather, Old Testament judges were like kings, princes, chiefs, or bosses.

And the Lord gave the Israelites, just forming God’s Kingdom on earth, judges who saved them from nearby kings who were oppressing them.  Most of the judges had questionable character, were disobedient, and were not clear God-proclaimers.

But the Lord did not save them through the judges in response to the people’s faithfulness… clearly they were disobedient, and did not follow the Lord’s appointed leaders.

But yet He saved them.

Because God’s salvation is not conditional on His people’s obedience.  God’s salvation is conditional on His grace.  He is gracious, and so He saves.

God shows here that He is always at work saving His people.  Often not in the way we expect.  Probably not in the way we ask.  Usually not following OUR ideas of salvation.

But God is graciously at work.  Yes, even when He sends us undesirable leaders.  Yes, even when He sends us unrighteous leaders.  Yes, even when He sends us bad leaders. 

His plan is a longer plan, a more complex plan, a more delightful plan than we imagine.  And even when His plan includes suffering politically, financially, or nationally… He is saving His people in the way that HE knows we need to be saving.

So yes, He is gracious even in the leaders He gives us.

The leaders God gives us are a gracious blessing.

Presence

And whenever the ark set out, Moses said, “Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, and let those who hate you flee before you.” And when it rested, he said, “Return, O Lord, to the ten thousand thousands of Israel.” (Numbers 10:35, 36 ESV)

Presence

The ark was more than just a big beautiful box.  The ark was the sign, symbol, and reminder of the presence of the Lord.  And Moses begs God to be present in the wandering years of God’s people.

And God was present.

The Lord scattered His enemies.

And the Lord gave rest to His people.

These things have not ceased.

The Lord continues to scatter His enemies.  Even though our eyes, minds, and hearts doubt it at times.

And the Lord gives His people rest.  Even though our cynicism and misunderstanding of Him causes us to doubt it at times.

If God defeated His enemies, and gave us rest, based on our obedience, righteousness, faithfulness, dependability, or coolness… we would have reason to doubt.

But He defeats His enemies and gives us rest because He is gracious!

What a blessing His presence is.

Battles

One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. (Joshua 23:10 ESV)

Battles

One of my favorite pictures in Scripture is when Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, has his eyes opened for a moment and was able to see the army of the Lord arrayed in Judea.

What we can not see is bigger and better than what we can see.

When we are discourage at the daunting tasks God has place before us, remember that He fights the battles we think we fight.  That does not mean we will win every battle we fight, because sometimes we are not fighting the right battles.  But we will win every fight HE is fighting.

Not because He is our mercenary, but because He has adopted us as His children.

God defends us, uplifts us, protects us, and has destroyed every enemy we can see, imagine, or are unaware of.  Because He graciously fights for us.

What a blessing His battles are.

Glue

And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:7 ESV)

Glue

I had a magic trick that did not quite work correctly.  It involved hidden magnets, and steel platelets, and ultimately the magnets were not quite strong enough.

I went to a magic shop, and explained my problem to the clerk.  He was sympathetic, and not only described the perfect magnet to make my magic trick effective, but he went around back and found just the right magnet… and then rather than charge me for it (I would have paid an exorbitant price), he gave it to me as a gift.

That was one of my favorites, for many years.

Because it had Grace attached.

The Savior of Christians, Christ Jesus, is the glue that holds the universe together.

That alone would endear Him to us.  His power, exerted on our behalf… His effectiveness, manifested on our behalf… His wonder, declared on our behalf…

But He gives it to us Graciously.

He does not require our obedience first.  He does not require us to prove our loyalty first.  He does not even demand our repentance, conversation, and sanctification before He glues the universe for us!  Because He has been holding all things together since the first moment of creation, long before we were even born.

What a blessing that glue is!

Rejoice

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. (Philippians 4:4 ESV)

Rejoice

Recently, DeAnne and I went out for ice cream.  And that ice cream was incredible.  It was a stunning flavor.  The texture was silky yet firm.  It even had an aroma that was amazingly desert-ish.

But I did not really rejoice, because it did not last long.

I enjoy my lawn mower.  We bought it almost eight years ago, and that machine has made mowing a delight.  It is efficient, powerful, fast, and the envy of most of my neighbors. 

But I do not rejoice about it, because it already is starting to show signs of age.

My favorite pet was a dog in Australia.  It was a funny beast, a sheep dog that was afraid of sheep.  The shepherd finally got tired of the struggle, and gave Bonnie to us.  This dog was gentle, smart, and loyal.  And it herded my toddler son away from dangerous places on our property! 

But I did not rejoice about that dog, because it became sick, and died.

The only really rejoiceable thing in the universe is the only eternal all-powerful thing in the universe.  God Himself.

And we can rejoice in the Lord because He is present in our lives graciously, powerfully, graciously, lovingly, graciously, shockingly, graciously, and eternally.

What a blessing rejoicing is.

Worship

Your acts of worship are acts of sin. (Isaiah 66:3 The Message)

Worship

God’s ways are not our ways.  Sometimes we forget that, and therefore get things backwards.

In our human world, we do our jobs, we perform acts of service, and we work hard, causing (we hope) happiness in the recipients of our labors.  For instance, I mowed my grandfather’s lawn every week, and I was glad that  he was pleased.

But when it comes to our worship, our work is not as perfect as God, in His holiness, demands.  We might be surprised to find that our worship often has selfish motivation, follows our own instincts and desires, and is manifested usually in the styles we like, the songs we enjoy, and the sermons that make us feel good.  All of those things indicate that even our most devote worship is still tainted by sin.

However, worship that acknowledges and emphasizes the fulness of God’s Grace is exactly the right kind of worship.

If we are worshipping with the goal of making God happy, we will disappoint Him and ourselves.  Our actions do not make God happy.  Only Christ’s holy actions please God.  God is pleased when we lean on Him alone, rest in Him alone, and worship through Him alone.

In fact, as strange as it sounds… we should not worship to please God.  Instead, God’s pleasure leads to our true worship.

And God’s pleasure, His favor, His love, and His grace need to be the foundation of all that we do.

Worshipping entirely in Christ is what God loves us to do. Any other kind of worship is not Godly. 

The good news is, that our God changes us into worshippers, empowers us as worshipers, and when we fail, God chooses to see Christ worshiping on our place… perfect, pleasing, and fully in Him.

What a blessing worship is.

Dependence

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. (Psalm 118:8 ESV)

Dependence

I wonder, sometimes, what God thinks of our Independence Day concept and celebration.  Every year in July Americans celebrate our independence from foreign rule.  But our independence, we are taught, was earned in blood, toil, tears, and sweat.

In other words, it was bought, earned, and paid for.

And we cherish the thought of that kind of independence.

But our dependance on God is exactly the opposite.  We did not buy it, earn it, or pay for it.

Our dependance on God is the result of Christ Jesus.  His life, His death, and His life allow us to have immediate and ultimate dependance on the One True Living God.

But we do not seem to cherish it as richly as we cherish our independence.

This year, remember the blessing of God’s Grace that gives us dependence on Him… which is more reliable than our independence, more important than our independence, and more real than our independence.

What a blessing dependence is.